Domestic violence court success

Special courts to deal with cases of domestic violence in Milton Keynes have resulted in a rise in guilty pleas from offenders, police said.

The Specialist Domestic Violence Courts were introduced in May and offer extra support and specially trained staff to deal with cases from start to finish.

Police said the guilty pleas meant the victims were saved the ordeal of court.

Det Insp Neil Dodds said though it was early days, the indication was they were "producing some positive results."

Support also includes independent domestic violence advisors (IDVA) appointed by the charity Women's Aid to help victims through the court process.

Det Insp Dodds said: "In any domestic abuse case the best outcome has to be one that ensures the safety of the victim and brings the offender to justice.

"We hope the courts and the IDVAs will give victims more confidence in the law and provide a service based on listening to them and what they want."

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