A NEW centre for victims and key witnesses of crime could help nail more wife-beaters, claims the boss of a women's refuge.

Wiltshire's Crown Prosecution Service is to open its state-of-the-art Witness Care Unit in Feb-ruary.

Jenni Manners, who runs a Swindon shelter for victims of domestic violence, was among a group of representatives from the Criminal Justice System who accompanied the Solicitor General, Harriet Harman, on a visit of the Chippenham centre.

Ms Manners believes the initiative is excellent news for the forgotten people in courtrooms.

She claims many prosecutions fail because victims and key prosecution witnesses are not offered the support they need.

But all that is about the change. Staff have been told to keep people informed of legal processes and dispel common myths about court.

Ms Manners, who has devoted nearly 30 years to helping victims of domestic violence, said: "This is about ensuring that victims and witnesses receive the level of information and support that they need to assist them through the criminal justice process.

"Going to court can be an extremely daunting experience for these people. But for years they have been the forgotten people in the courtroom. Hopefully that will change."

Ms Manners said women who feel isolated and puzzled by complicated legal talk are much more likely to bail out of cases.

"Too often victims and witnesses are not even told of the outcome of their case," she added.

Harriet Harman said: "Witnesses have a responsibility as good citizens to give evidence at court.

"But they also have a right to support, protection and information.

"A new Witness Care Unit in Wiltshire will provide this support to enable witnesses to give the best evidence they can.

"It will mean a better deal for witnesses who will get the support and information they need; a better deal for the criminal justice system, which will have more witnesses engaging with the system and appearing at court and a better deal for the public as more offenders are brought to justice."

Witness care officers at the centre will steer individuals through the legal labyrinth and help them liaise with the police and the CPS.

Kevin Shoesmith