Hill: case reopened in Chester
Court officials have re-enacted the opening of a trial to help out a reporter who missed it because she was in another court.
Related
Emma Hill was amazed when the court officials at Chester Crown Court agreed to “reopen” the prosecution case, just for her, against a firm being prosecuted over the death of a worker.
The prosecution, with the agreement of the defence, reprised the start of the trial for Hill the next day by turning up early in the morning before the court officially started and outlining its case.
Hill, a reporter with Chester News Service and the Chester Standard newspaper, said: “Having missed the opening, leading counsel explained that the best bits had been dealt with in a video viewed by the jury at the start of the trial. “I thought I had missed out on the case, but I’m very grateful to the court staff who allowed me to do the impossible and write a full report on the opening of a trial at which no reporters were present.”
Content from our partners
Jonathan White, editor of the Standard and a partner in Chester News Service, said: “Emma is highly regarded at the court for her attention to detail. “It shows a great degree of cooperation between the courts and the media.”
The story was written within an hour and sent out to local media, including the Ellesmere Port Standard, who used it as its lead story the following day.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
