VIRTUAL courtrooms are set to speed up the wheels of justice across Hampshire.

A new prison video link system has been launched at Southampton Crown Court, allowing defendants to remain in custody for preliminary hearings.

The defendant is able to take part in proceedings via a video conference to the prison, saving time and money.

Southampton Crown Court is one of 30 courts to have the £50,000 equipment installed.

Courts minister Christopher Leslie said: "I am pleased that Southampton Crown Court will now benefit from the use of prison video link technology.

"It's being introduced after it was successfully piloted between Manchester Crown Court and Manchester Prison in 1999 and following the implementation of technology linking 156 magistrates' courts with 57 prisons.

"As well as enabling courts to link to the prison, this equipment will allow vulnerable and intimidated witnesses to give evidence from locations inside and outside the court building that have the relevant technology. It also allows evidence to be presented electronically."

Criminal justice chiefs say the £2.3m system should help reduce delays, improve security and cut costs.

It should also result in less prisoner movements, requiring less prison staff time, and should help reduce the risk of defendants absconding, also reducing wasted time while waiting for prisoners to arrive at court and more effective preliminary hearings. Those behind the prison video link scheme say it supports the government's aims to improve public protection and should also help promote public confidence in the court system.

Manchester Crown Court has been using the system for four years, mainly for preliminary and plea and direction hearings.

Other crown courts to be given the new technology include Bristol, Reading and Portsmouth.