The case was abandoned after the judge fell asleep and will be re-listed for another trail as soon as possible.
26 July 2014 in Manchester England, a Crown Court judge is being investigated by the Conduct Investigations Office after he was accused of falling asleep in the middle of a child rape trial being held at
Manchester Crown Court, forcing it to be abandoned.
Barristers for the defence and prosecution complained Recorder (judge) Philip Cattan nodded off as an alleged victim was cross-examined by the defence barrister. As a result of the alleged incident the trial was abandoned will now have to be re-listed as the jury had to be dismissed.
The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said it was investigating the allegation and that no comment could be made until their investigation was finished. Mr Cattan is a recorder, who is an experienced barrister who usually spends between 15 and 30 days a year sitting in as trial judge.
If the Conduct Investigations Office find Mr Cattan guilty of misconduct any disciplinary action will be decided by the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice.
Former solicitor general Vera Baird commented that she was shocked and had "real concerns" over what is alleged to have happened.
Kim TUFFIN of FCOL said today, “if this allegation and what is reported is true it is the public who will have to pick up the cost of this abandoned trial and any forthcoming trial, the total bill could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Giving evidence in a case like this is traumatic enough for the victims without having to go through the whole thing again, it is a disgusting waste of time and money and hugely
disrespectful towards the victims”.
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