Magistrate explains importance of written statements in court

A MAGISTRATE has stressed the importance of written statements in committal proceedings as they carry a lot of weight in determining the outcomes of cases.
Committal Magistrate Cosmas Bidar made the point while handing down his ruling on a 34-year-old man charged with the abuse of a 10-year-old girl in 2017.
Magistrate Bidar said the outcome of the case depended on the statements provided by the girl victim and the man.
He explained how in the past witnesses from both the police and defence would appear in person and provide oral evidence in court. He said it depended on whether or not people believed what the person was saying in court. He said written statements were different from oral evidence.
“There is no reason at all for this little girl to tell lies in her statement. I don’t find any reason for her to make up stories and tell lies. It comes down to her evidence against the defendant’s,” he said.
Magistrate Bidar also mentioned that there has been an increase in cases on the abuse of minors coming before the committal court and written statements were important.