Silence in Devizes court

The court, which has been housed in a temporary building in Northgate Gardens for 25 years, is moving to a new complex in Wilton Road, Salisbury, and all local cases will be dealt with there unless there is a specific application to have them heard in Chippenham or Swindon.

Magistrates, justices’ clerks and prosecutors got together for a farewell photograph before the last few cases were dealt with and the courthouse officially closed.

It is thought it will be first time since the town was granted its royal charter in 1141 that justice will not be delivered in the market town.

Nigel Spinney, chairman of the South East Wiltshire bench, said: “For older magistrates, who remember it all before the Salisbury and Kennet benches were amalgamated, it is a sad day.

“It seems to be that there will be less in the way of local justice, but we are getting a splendid new court complex, housing crown court, high court, magistrates court and administration all under the one roof.

“One hour’s travelling to a court is seen as acceptable these days and Wiltshire is quite well served by courts. Transport is always a difficult issue in a rural area.”

Devizes, Trowbridge and Salisbury magistrates’ courts were condemned by a Home Office report several years ago. Devizes courthouse was criticised for its custody facilities, which were said to be in breach of the Human Rights Act.

Trowbridge court was closed immediately, though it is still in use as a coroner’s court, while Salisbury and Devizes were given a stay of execution until the new building came on stream.

The temporary building at Northgate Gardens is due for demolition next month and the site, owned by Wiltshire Council, is expected to be sold for residential development.

Devizes MP Michael Ancram, who has fought the closure of courthouses throughout his constituency, said: “This is yet another tragic triumph for centralising bureaucracy. It is an insult to local justice which I very much regret.”