THE 21st century arrives at York Magistrates Court next week when the first prisoners attend court without leaving their jail.

They will appear in the courtroom through a video link with HMP Hull, similar to that used by Maxine Carr, who is charged in connection with the Soham murders.

The first to appear on the York screen is likely to be a 27-year-old Acomb man charged with house burglary. His case is listed for Thursday.

The move is aimed at cutting costs and could help cut out delays caused by prisoners arriving late at court.

The courtroom TV screens will also be used by vulnerable witnesses to give their evidence from a room inside the court building without having to go into the courtroom.

Paul Bradley, justices chief executive said: "This type of equipment... will mean that fewer prisoners have to be brought to court.

"This should produce significant savings for the prison service.

"The additional use of the equipment by vulnerable witnesses will help to remove some of the anxiety experienced by those who have to give evidence in court."

The special screens have been installed in Courtroom Number 2 in the Clifford Street courthouse.

Defence solicitors will speak to their clients over the video link using out-of-court booths then go into the courtroom while their client appears on the in-court screen. All video link hearings will be on Thursdays.

The video link will be used for all hearings between the first appearance and the trial or sentence. Sometimes, a defendant can make several appearances between their initial remand in custody and the date on which they are finally dealt with by the magistrates.

Until now, on each occasion, unless they agree to be remanded in absence, the prisoner has to be brought by Group 4 from prison to court.

In recent months, magistrates and lawyers have been unable to deal with cases quickly because Group 4 has not brought prisoners on time from local jails. Sometimes the delays have been over an hour.

Only male adult prisoners will use the link. Women, juveniles and men aged 20 or under will still appear in person.

Updated: 10:45 Friday, October 04, 2002