Covid has led to an increasing backlog of cases at the Isle of Wight Crown Court, figures show.

A parliamentary report has warned that the coronavirus pandemic has left the courts system in England and Wales in crisis, with a backlog of cases that will take years to clear.

Ministry of Justice figures show that the crown court in Newport had 104 outstanding cases at the end of December.

This was an increase of six from the end of September and 31 more than at the end of 2019, when there were 73.

Recently, three men were spared jail, partly because their case had taken so long to get to court due to the pandemic.

The Lords Constitution Committee has urged the government to set out urgent plans, including new funding, to stop public confidence in the justice system being undermined.

Across England and Wales, the number of outstanding crown court cases swelled to 56,827 in December, which was 49 per cent higher than the same point the previous year.

However, the number of concluded cases in December was close to pre-pandemic levels, as courts got closer clearing the national backlog.

The figures show that 43 cases were concluded at the IW Crown Court between October and December following a trial or sentencing hearing.

That was a rise of nine on the 34 cases dealt with between July and September.

In contract, between October and December 2019, 53 cases were concluded.

Last month, the watchdog for the Crown Prosecution Service warned that the caseload for prosecutors nationally is increasing at an alarming rate and this could have “major consequences” for victims and witnesses.

Meanwhile, some lawyers have said they are already seeing trials being listed for 2023.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: "We are spending £450 million to deliver speedier justice for victims and this is already having an impact. Outstanding magistrates’ cases have fallen by 50,000 since last summer and crown court cases reached pre-Covid levels in December.

“More jury trials are being heard every week, with video hearings and new Nightingale courts boosting capacity while we invest record amounts in victim support.”