THE trial of an alleged sex offender accused of possessing a device capable of recording or photographing children while travelling in a motor vehicle has been halted due to strike action by lawyers.

Spencer Pledge, 44, is accused of possessing the device on January 30, 2019 in Worthing, in contravention of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

He is also accused of possessing a police counter terrorism uniform, handcuffs, and a stab vest in Worthing in May of that year.

The offences are contrary to section 1031(1) and (3) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Pledge, of Sackville Road, Broadwater, Worthing, appeared at Hove Crown Court on June 27 after his case was listed for trial before Judge Martin Huseyin.

However, Jonathan Edwards, prosecuting, said the trial would have to be adjourned after explaining to the judge that Pledge’s representative was taking part in industrial action by criminal barristers in England and Wales.

“This is as a result of grievances raised by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA),” he told the court.

Criminal barristers have begun to strike over legal aid fees, as they warn the profession is facing an “existential crisis” because of inadequate funding.

The CBA has said the offer of a 15 per cent uplift in fees, which was the minimum increase recommended by the criminal legal aid review (Clar), is insufficient after swingeing cuts – and will not apply to the backlog of 58,000 cases in crown courts in England and Wales.

It says incomes have fallen nearly 30 per cent over the last two decades and specialist criminal barristers make an average annual income after expenses of £12,200 in the first three years of practice, and reportedly driving 22 per cent of junior criminal barristers to leave since 2016.

Some barristers participating in the strike have spoken of being paid less than the minimum wage for court hearings when travel and hours spent preparing are factored in – and not at all when hearings are cancelled.

Judge Martin Huseiyn told the court that the charges against Pledge “could clearly not continue” without representation and adjourned the trial until a later date.

“We are keeping a record of these cases [that are being halted due to strike action] and being asked to monitor and report them,” he said.

“And I will say no more than that.”