TRYING to explain to the grieving parents of a young girl killed in a road accident that the driver will not face a more serious charge is a difficult part of Martin Goldman's job. So is attending a meeting with a man who's been left for dead following a vicious assault in Middlesbrough, to explain why his attacker will not serve a long prison term. But difficult though the task is, this kind of personal contact is one of the changes Mr Goldman has introduced since taking up his post as Teesside's chief crown prosecutor in April.

Prior to his appointment, meetings with victims and families to discuss Crown Prosecution Service decisions were rare, but the former solicitor believes the organisation should be more transparent.

"I do feel it is important to meet the victims and witnesses of crime," he says. "I recently met with two victims of a very serious assault. One of them was stabbed within an inch of his life. He was not satisfied with the sentence.

"It is about trying to establish an understanding with people who are affected by the decisions we make. They might not be happy about it but they can see why we reached that decision. I want to create a better profile for the CPS so people can understand what we do."

One of the major objectives is to connect with the community and to ensure the CPS is accountable and responsible to the public for the work that they do and the decisions they make, he adds.

Mr Goldman left his job as a solicitor at a private practice in 1989 to start work as a trainee crown prosecutor for the CPS in West Yorkshire. It was the human side of criminal law he found most appealing and the realisation that his work would make a difference to people.

"I have always wanted to specialise in crime. I've always found it to be a very interesting side to the business," he says. "It's the human side - we don't tend to be tied to paperwork. We meet real people in real circumstances.

"I felt you could really make an impact, to make a difference, whereas in a private practice it was paper pushing and negotiations and you were really not impacting on the world around you or on people's lives."

After joining as a trainee, Mr Goldman worked his way up to be a senior prosecutor, then went into management and eventually headed a unit in West Yorkshire, covering Leeds and Wakefield, before starting the new job in Middlesbrough.

As chief crown prosecutor he is responsible for all prosecution work in the magistrates' and crown courts on Teesside, and oversees the work of 110 employees. His role involves making final decisions on how cases proceed, meeting victims of crime and improving the criminal justice system through his seat on the local criminal justice board. He also continues to prosecute in court and attend law and order debates with Middlesbrough Mayor, Ray Mallon.

"I prosecute regularly in the magistrates' courts and still spend a day at the police stations," he says. "I think it is very important that I do that. First you lead by example, secondly, it is the best way to find out how things are going. It is not just about talking to the staff - it's important to do the job yourself. I have been to every court and every police station in the area."

The CPS on Teesside became the fourth area nationally to introduce solicitors into police stations to assist officers with the charging process and the initiative has been a success.

The investigating officer of a crime now has to ask the advice of the CPS lawyer before charging a criminal with an offence. The solicitor will determine whether there is enough evidence to secure a prosecution and if it is in the public interest. They will also ensure the correct charge is put.

On Teesside, the process has seen the number of convictions rise. For July and August, rates are ten per cent higher than last year as a result.

"Traditionally the police have had the power to charge people with offences but this has actually taken that power away and put it in the hands of the prosecutors," he says. "We are giving quality legal advice at an early stage. The police are very in favour."

Two witness care units will also be set up in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough by the end of the year, to keep victims and witnesses informed about their cases and make sure their needs are met.

A keen golfer, Mr Goldman gave up the chance of a golf scholarship in America for a life in law. "But I have no regrets," he says. "I really enjoy the job that I do."