CRIMINALS taken to Basingstoke’s new multi-million-pound custody centre who are self-isolating because of the coronavirus are unable to be dealt with by the courts because video technology isn’t in operation.

Magistrate Timothy Pattinson raised the issue at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court when he was unable to hear the case of a defendant who had been remanded in custody overnight for assaulting emergency workers.

The man, from Farnborough, had been taken to the police custody centre on April 1, which is part of the £22m Police and Investigation Centre in Viables, which opened in 2017.

However, he was self-isolating because his girlfriend had symptoms of Covid-19, meaning he was unable to attend court in person the next day.

His defence barrister Mr Doran said: “He is self-isolating because his partner, three or four days ago, had a temperature and a cough.

“Even if he doesn’t show symptoms the risk factors are still there. My position would be I couldn’t see him in the cells. I have asthma.

“I don’t want to shirk from my responsibilities but we all have to be safe in this environment.”

Mr Pattinson said the matter presented a “real problem” adding: “The guidance we have somewhat falls short on what to do in this situation.”

He said the guidance suggested that cases where defendants are unable to appear in court should be dealt with “at the door” or “at the police van” outside which the magistrate labelled as “not satisfactory”.

He added: “They [the police centre] do have the technology but it’s not in operation at the minute.”

Mr Doran said: “The new-build police station down the road, £22m worth and it doesn’t have the technology working.”

Mr Pattinson stressed that the health of those in the court was “paramount” and said he had no option but to “pass the buck” back to the prison service to keep the defendant in custody.

“I’m afraid it’s passing the problem to the prison. It’s very much passing the buck and it doesn’t feel right,” he added.

On the Police and Crime Commissioner’s website,it describes its centre as being “supported by modern technology”.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: "Hampshire Constabulary is committed to the development and implementation of cross agency digital working to improve the experience for all users of the Criminal Justice System.

"In addition to the digital exchange of case papers and working towards the ability to share and view multi-media more quickly than ever before, we have been working with our partners to progress our use of video platforms to conduct certain types of hearings.

"We have tested a number of systems to check security compliance, user capability including health and safety considerations and will shortly implement between suitably identified police stations and the courts."