Judge slams delay after man pleads guilty to child rape

A judge has criticised the State’s delay in dealing with the case of a man who has admitted rape crimes against children.

Judge Geoffrey Browne yesterday described as “a total waste of state resources” the apparent insistence on the preparation of a book of evidence in the case after the accused man had indicated he was waiving his right to the book and was pleading guilty to all charges.

Harristown District Court heard last month that the Director of Public Prosecutions had agreed to accept signed pleas of guilty in the case.