The scheme, to fast-track cases and to cut the court backlog, is being expanded in England and Wales.

Government says latest figures for outstanding caseload justify jury trial reform; bar says they prove the opposite.

Judges at Bradford Crown Court have dealt with distressing cases of rape and other serious offences in recent months.

There were 80,203 outstanding cases at the end of last year, up 8% on the 74,106 recorded in the previous 12 months, Ministry of Justice figures show.