CRIMINALS will be able to watch television while they wait to be sentenced under plans for North-East courts.

County Durham Magistrates' Courts Committee is to buy TVs for the waiting areas in all its courts, for use by defendants and the public, at a cost of £2,000.

The move has been criticised by court staff who claim it would bring disruption to courts that, they claim, are already overcrowded.

Victims' groups also attacked the decision saying the money could be better spent elsewhere.

David Hines, of the North of England Victims' Association and a member of the National Advisory Panel for Victims at the Home Office, said he planned to raise the matter with the Home Secretary.

"I think it is scandalous," he said. "Victims' groups are always short of money. There are better things this could be spent on.

"Court staff are often victims of violence - could they not spend money on improving security?"

One magistrates' clerk said: "It's ridiculous. It's hard enough getting people into court anyway.

"They will be saying they won't come in till they have finished watching Richard and Judy.

"It's an absolute disgrace they are spending money on this."

Royston Dent, deputy chief executive of County Durham Magistrates' Courts, defended the decision.

He said: "If you go to the doctors or into banks, they have the radio playing but it doesn't stop people going in for their appointment.

"This is something that will make their time at court more acceptable. It is our response to public opinion."