100 teenagers unlawfully convicted in secretive single justice system

CHILDREN have been unlawfully handed criminal convictions in a fast-track justice system in which magistrates sit behind closed doors, the Evening Standard can reveal.

- Tristan Kirk

Single justice procedure courts are allowed by law to handle only criminal cases involving defendants who have turned 18. But exclusive Evening Standard research has uncovered more than 100 cases of children aged 16 and 17 being prosecuted in the controversial courts process.

HM Courts and Tribunals admitted mistakes had been made within the secretive court system, with a spokesman saying: "Human errors are rare and we act immediately once issues are brought to our attention." Following the Standard's investigation, an internal court probe uncovered 124 cases of children being unlawfully prosecuted in an SJP court since the start of 2023. In one case, a girl was prosecuted at Medway magistrates' court for not paying just £5.84 to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Her age was spelled out in court papers, yet she was convicted in the fast-track court regardless.