Sir Tom Winsor said that prosecutions are at their lowest level in years, and warned that criminal courts are "creaking" deeper into crisis, with a growing backlog of cases. Latest Ministry of Justice figures show that from April to June, the crown court backlog grew to nearly 60,000 cases nationally. Sir Tom, who has been the inspector for nine years and has six months left in the role, said Snaresbrook Crown Court, Essex, one of the biggest in the country, has had on occasion just two of its 20 courtrooms in operation.

       He said: "The court backlog is a significant problem and there has been a vast reduction in the number of cases brought to justice.

       "The number of cases going into court is at the lowest level it has been for many years yet, for some reason, court backlogs and waiting times have become inexcusably long.

       "In many cases, this unacceptable delay in taking cases to court will take its toll on the physical and mental health of victims, witnesses and those who are accused.

       "Victims may lose confidence in the criminal jus? tice system and decide they are no longer willing to wait and support a prosecution.

       "People who are suspected of having committed an offence, who are on remand, will have to spend longer in prison. Justice delayed is not justice, it is justice denied."

       Sir Tom warned senior police officers that funding cuts meant legal aid could soon become impossible for defendants to obtain in some areas.

       "Those accused of offences should have access to legal representation through all stages of the system. However, the financing of criminal defence is in a terrible state.