A defendant brought before a “virtual court” in Sutton was sentenced only hours after being arrested for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

The man, who is in his 40s, made judicial history in the borough after being handed a £100 fine by magistrates without entering a court building.

The instant justice follows the trial of video links between magistrates’ courts and custody suites at 15 London police stations.

The cyber courts are expected to handle 15,000 cases a year, saving £2.2m in police and court time and in the transport of prisoners.

A Sutton police spokesman said: “Sutton was chosen by the Metropolitan Police as one of a small number of London boroughs to pilot these virtual courts to deliver ‘effective and efficient justice’.

“The man was the first defendant in the borough to be dealt with by a special video link, which enables a defendant sitting in a specially adapted room in our custody suite to see and talk to the clerk, lawyers and magistrates in a similarly adapted court room at Camberwell Magistrates’ Court.

“Using the video systems, the man was charged and dealt with by a magistrate in less than 17 hours.”

Virtual courts are used only for first hearings, meaning suspects pleading not guilty will appear in person at subsequent hearings.

Defendants have the right to refuse to take part in the pilot scheme, but the law is changing from November to remove the need for consent.

Inspector Andy Brittain, who is introducing the technology in Sutton, said the chances of criminals reoffending while on bail would now be reduced.

Borough Commander Guy Ferguson said: “Virtual courts are good news for victims of crime because we can provide them with a better service and speedy outcome of their case.”

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