Complainants, accused persons and witnesses interviewed by The Gleaner, all said that they were seeking justice from the courts, they wanted their cases to be tried quickly.

A perturbed mother, whose 13-year-old daughter was sexually molested, complained to The Gleaner last month that three years had gone by since the offence was committed but a trial date had yet to be set.

"My daughter had toget counselling after the attack on her. I think the case could have been tried within a year so she could get on with her life," the obviously upset mother said. "She relives the incident every time the case is called up and she will relive it again most painfully during the trial. I cannot believe that up to now the case has only reached the 'mention' stage."

The case was set for mention in March this yea the accused man, who is now on bail, was charged in 2003. The mother felt that special efforts should be made to try sexual-offence cases involving young children quickly, so the children can get on with their rehabilitation therapy.

That woman is only one of numerous citizens who are crying out for criminal cases to be tried quickly both in the Resident Magistrates' Courts and in the Circuit Courts.