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Widow waits five years for trial of husband’s carer
Christine Dutton will have waited five years and three months for the trial of Jasbir Kau, a carer charged with three counts of ill treatment or neglect of her husband, John. The case highlights the strain that repeated court delays can place on families, particularly when they are waiting for a resolution after raising concerns about the care of a vulnerable relative.
John, a former fish and chip shop owner, had a severe stroke in 2017 and needed round-the-clock care before his death in 2022. After several postponed dates, the trial is now fixed for August 2027; delays included a lack of available courtrooms and the use of “floating trials”, where several cases are listed for the same date. West Yorkshire magistrates’ court backlogs rose 29% in the year to a record high, while the Crown Court backlog stood at nearly 80,000 cases at the end of 2025.
In short
- Christine Dutton has waited years for her husband’s carer’s trial.
- The trial is fixed for August 2027 after repeated postponements.
- West Yorkshire magistrates’ court backlogs rose 29% in a year.
Explained simply
A stroke can leave someone needing help with everyday tasks and continuous care. In England and Wales, carers may be prosecuted if they are accused of ill-treating or neglecting a person in their care; the allegations must be considered by a court.
Cases can be postponed when courtrooms or trial time are unavailable. A “floating trial” is listed alongside other cases and may go ahead only if time becomes free, so its date is less certain. Long waits can leave families without a court’s decision for years.