Magistrates court appalling treatment -witness/ victim

[DirtyDancing]

I do not want to give too much away about the nature of the crime. I have been called to testify as the victim and witness of a severe incident, along with one other witness.

I feel we have been treated really poorly by the court System.

The case has had numerous date changes and most recently a permission to vacate and an adjournment.

Every time I have turned up to court, as requested (via letter and phone calls from the police)- only to find that the defendant has basically not turned up. Each time an excuse is given, they don't bother to turn up, and myself and the other witness do.

There are no repercussions for the defendant. But- Each time I am summoned and told I must turn up.

I work. I have a family. I have PTSD. This is literally killing me. The anxiety, stress and complete lack of regard shown by the system beggars belief.

Has anyone experienced this? How many times can a defendant get away with not showing up? What happens if I say enough is enough and don't go next time? Can I complain?

If they don't show, the court can issue a warrant for their arrest

If they have given a reason why they haven't turned up - the court make a judgement to see if its a reasonable excuse or not.

They tend to err on the side of "....we'll give them another chance and adjourn it..."

Happens a lot - it also happen when witnesses don't turn up. Happened to me recently. It was adjourned 4 times - suspect attended each time, but the witnesses didn't.

If its any consolation - police tend to have rest days cancelled for court appearances - and if they forget, its usually a disciplinary matter.