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As per usual there is a load of complete nonsense being written about this topic. Some of it is because the usual news outlets don't actually employ many journalists, and most of the few that still exist just trot out their Party line.

There are also people trying to hide their vested interests behind rampant bollo. From Tories pretending it wasn't their underinvestment that caused the problem, to Criminal Barristers banging on about the "right" to trial by jury, conveniently omitting to mention the massive difference to their potential pay.

I'm a former Solicitor (and, before that, a Barrister-at-Law). I have no vested interest. So here is my version of the reality of this situation.

There are 3 categories of Criminal Offences. Known as (1) Summary-only; (2) Indictment-only; and (3) Either-Way Offences.

The vast majority are (1)-no right to a Jury for those. Only a very few of the most serious offences are (2), which must be heard by a Jury. (3) are the key to change-these offences may carry big prison sentences, but typically do not.

Large amounts of Courts have shut. Because they were not making a "profit". Causing a massive logjam. Currently, if someone were to be formally charged with Rape today, the logjam means the actual Case will not Start until early 2030. That has massive implications. To give 2 obvious examples, large amounts of people will either be in Prison for 4 years for something they didn't do, or large amounts of the Guilty ones will be on the Streets for the next 4 years. Secondly, a considerable number of Guilty people will be found Not Guilty, because Witnesses will die/get dementia, and memories will fade or become less convincing. That's before factoring the marginal cases dropped and/or plea bargains agreed to due to time pressures

It always used to be a close call when advising people facing "either way" offences. On the 1 hand, Juries are more likely to acquit than Judges-simply because they haven't heard the same stories a thousand times before. On the other, people convicted by Juries get harsher Sentences than those convicted by Judges. However, it is now the case that severe delays mean it is more often in the Accused's interest to opt for a Jury Trial. That in turn causes a ripple effect on future cases.

The change is necessary. The Debate should be whether it is a Temporary or Permanent change

I'm not sure where the 58 came from - obviously it was a mere 47 years ago 

Just a quick reference to Eze's brilliant NLD hat-trick, the first one since Alan Sunderland's at WHL 58 years ago.

My best mate in the 1970's was a season ticket holder at White Hart Lane and we used to play golf at weekends. If spurs were playing at home he would often invite me to join him for the game after golf, that's how I happened to be at the game in December 1978. Arsenal won 5-0 that day thanks to the Sunderland hat-trick, Frank Stapleton, and last but not least, Liam Brady's memorable effort from about 20 yards with the outside of his left foot.

The best part of Brady's magnificent goal was that spurs fans had to relive it over and over as it was featured on the intro to MOTD for the best part of a decade.

I believe I heard yesterday that online bingo got some kind of tax-break from these lastest increases.

It seems ridiculous that bingo gets the tax-break and poker doesn't if that truly is the case.

I was really nervous leading up to the NLD and even watched most of the first half through my fingers and with butterflies in my stomach. Those two goals in the last five minutes of the first half settled me down considerably, and I managed to almost enjoy the rest of the game. I cannot really explain how much these games put me through the wringer. I'm sure other diehard footie fans will understand.

The Bayern game on the other hand, I was totally relaxed about. It felt like a glorified exhibition match with very little at stake qualification-wise, although having lost 4/5 of the last half-a-dozen times we'd played them, there was certainly a score to settle, especially with their #9 who has been a thorn in our side for a decade or more. It was was very pleasing to see us not only measure up but totally dominate them in the second half, as they are one of the top teams in Europe.

Looking forward to putting myself through it all again at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

It feels different this year and I'm definitely starting to believe in a cautious kind of way..

I'm shooting around 92/94 but every round has 2 or 3 blobs.

I think you have to click on the pic.

I know the feeling.

Had an 8 on the card but still got a point. 1st round in a while without a blob for me.

Tony snotted us today with 41 Stabbos.

BANDIT.

I'm shooting around 92/94 but every round has 2 or 3 blobs.

I think you have to click on the pic.

Great stuff Kev. A break has one you good.

I won't lie, I did shoot a 101 and 100 before this round.😁 They have been forgotten  now 🤣

Great stuff Kev. A break has one you good.