The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding’s closed magistrates’ court could still have a role to play in the justice system.
It has emerged that it could potentially be used by witnesses in court proceedings.
A video link would enable people to give evidence without travelling to courts in Boston, Grantham or Lincoln.
Following a meeting in London with the courts service, South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes is “very confident” that both the witness proposal and the previously-publicised plan for Spalding branch of the Royal British Legion to use part of the building as a base will go ahead.
Mr Hayes said: “It’s very important that witnesses do continue to take part in court proceedings and this would be a way that they would not have to travel so far.”
The court in Sheep Market was closed after a fire and security assessment in 2012 found that the cells were significantly below standard and the custodial facilities were unusable.
Spalding has not listed any cases since January 2014.
A consultation on the future of the court garnered 42 responses, only five from members of the public.
