CONVICTION rates for Runcorn suggest that the Crown Prosecution Service is becoming too quick to charge people with sex offences.

New figures say that the number of convictions for sex offences in the area are much lower than any other offence.

Analysis of the data produced by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over the first quarter of the year reveals that 22 per cent of defendants have been acquitted in sex offence cases prosecuted by CPS Mersey-Cheshire, which also covers Runcorn, Macclesfield, Warrington, Chester and Crewe.

The highest conviction rates in Cheshire and Merseyside are cases involving burglary at 95.6 per cent, theft and handling at 95.1 per cent and drugs offences at 94.6 per cent.

In murder cases, 88.9 per cent have resulted in guilty verdicts while the overall conviction rate across all offences in Merseyside and Cheshire is 87.5 per cent, slightly higher than the national average of 85.8 per cent.

The figures have been compiled by Chris Saltrese Solicitors in Southport.

Solicitor Chris Saltrese specialises in defending contested sexual offence allegations.

He said: “The conviction rate in sex offence cases is abnormally low because the CPS are bringing charges on weak evidence, particularly in historic cases.

“There is no requirement for corroboration or independent witnesses - the complainant’s account is enough for a prosecution and conviction.

“The CPS must not become involved in a crusade to increase conviction rates by prosecuting any cases on weak evidence.”