Yong offender’s criminal trial to proceed despite delay

Criminal law – judicial review – application to prohibit criminal trial on the grounds of delay – whether there was a failure on the part of the respondent to prefer charges for a period of eighteen months since the date of commission of the alleged offence to the date of charging the applicant with the offence – blameworthy delay – young applicant was detained in a care home but was frequently absconding – there is a period of some seven months delay during the course of 2016 which may be classified as blameworthy prosecutorial delay – balancing exercise – applicant has not established that the balancing scale is tipped in favour of prohibition – prejudice is outweighed by the public interest in having the matter proceed to trial – reliefs sought refused.