Domestic abuse cases in Oxfordshire will now be heard in a specialist domestic violence court within two weeks of a suspect being charged.

Thames Valley Police said it hopes the move will cut the current six to eight-week period from the first hearing to trial to two to three weeks.

A pilot programme was launched in Buckinghamshire last December and has seen a conviction rate of 68 per cent.

Head of TVP criminal justice Superintendent Rory Freeman said the scheme is aimed at securing more guilty pleas.

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