What goes on behind the scenes at Ipswich Crown Court?

With 44 years’ experience of the courts in Ipswich, he has strong views on local issues, such as the need for more Magistrates from a more diverse and wider background, the issue of safety on the streets of our towns, domestic violence, drugs and alcohol abuse. 

“Constitutionally, judges don’t comment on policy but, in my view, judges strive to make the community safe by ensuring that we uphold the rule of law and dispense justice as quickly as we can,” he explained. 

Since Suffolk now only has one Magistrate’s Court, in Ipswich, those involved in cases, such as witnesses, can have long days of travel and waiting about. Judge Martyn Levett has a suggestion to save time and money. 

A network using local churches could be set up so that people could give evidence via video link, Judge Levett suggests (Image: GOOGLE MAPS)

“A network could be set up in parish churches, with an internet connection, so witnesses could go to the nearest one to give evidence via a tv link. Little hubs like that are worth exploring locally because they can have added benefit of helping the elderly and less connected in accessing banking and other services. We need to be brave in Suffolk and lead the way because technology is the future.” 

There is a perception from some people that Ipswich is not as safe as it was. How would he tackle that? 

“If local people in Ipswich, and the wider Suffolk, don’t feel safe in their town, then it destroys the whole ethos of the community, doesn’t it? Shops, theatres, cinemas, restaurants, everything is affected. It would make a difference if there were more street-rangers, making street alcohol-free zones, and exclusion orders for shoplifters. Courts can make preventative orders and take deterrent measures in sentencing. We are all an interlocking jigsaw, police, courts, prison and probation services.” 

Is Ipswich as safe as it was?

The Judge is very concerned at the increase in domestic violence cases coming to court. 

“Probably 92% of them have at their root, substance abuse, whether it’s alcohol or drugs. But you can’t just ban alcohol, can you? That means either a deterrent sentence or monitoring. We can order GPS where-abouts tags so we know where offenders are and exclude them from certain areas. That doesn’t cost anything. It’s a criminal offense to take the GPS tag off. Technology works.” 

Social media plays a huge part in public debate nowadays, how much does that lead to disquiet and misunderstanding? 

“Members of the public have long held and expressed views about the criminal trials and the sentences imposed. The world has now changed, and observations were previously communicated orally or in newspapers. Now social media is a very important part of communication, but only for certain generations.” 

Judge Martyn Levett feels most strongly about the traditional role of newspapers and the media. 

Judge Martyn Levett (Image: Supplied)

“My concern is that the sentences order by judges, like myself who deal with serious crime, are too often not being reported in the press and media. Three hundred small independent newspapers closed in the last decade, and even the BBC has cut back on its regional news reporting. The media acts as the eyes and ears of the public. Open justice helps to ensure that trials are properly conducted, puts pressure on witnesses to tell the truth and can result in new witnesses coming forward. It also makes inaccurate and uninformed comment about proceedings less likely.” 

Judge Martyn Levett says he never has a dull day in his work, and he feels he and the other local judges, are making a difference. What does he think are the answers to the other issues he is concerned about? 

“We need to inspire our diverse communities into having the confidence to step forward, to serve the community as Magistrates. Recruitment from a wider community helps cement confidence in public opinion because a more diverse Judiciary will better reflect a society it serves. 

For refugees, the issue is education, language barriers and integration. We also need to educate regarding the connection between drugs, alcohol and violence.”