A TEAM of volunteers who supported witnesses at Ipswich Crown Court during the Steve Wright murder trial have scooped a national gong.

A TEAM of volunteers who supported witnesses at Ipswich Crown Court during the Steve Wright murder trial have scooped a national gong.

The 13-strong group, which included ex-headteachers, a violinist, tap-dancer, and IT trainers, won a Justice Award for their work during the trial in January and February this year.

They were also recognised for their work in two separate murder trials, which took place at the same period.

With more than 700 Justice Award nominations across the country, the volunteers saw off stiff competition to emerge as one of 15 winners at the awards ceremony on Tuesday .

The National Justice Awards boasts a top level judging panel including the Home Secretary, the Lord Chancellor and the Attorney General.

It was this judging panel that picked Victim Support's Ipswich Crown Court Witness Service volunteers as inaugural winners in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Caring for Witnesses.

The team were praised for managing to protect the identity and provide emotional and practical support to witnesses while under the spotlight of the world's media.

Dr Brian Butcher, Eastern Regional manager of Victim Support, said: “The service provided during the murder trials was exemplary, particularly given the extra voluntary time required.

“It is a very daunting process attending court, let alone for cases of the magnitude seen in January and February this year.

“The team is a real credit to Victim Support and the Criminal Justice System.”

The Attorney General, Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, added: “These awards are about shining a light on the unsung staff and volunteers across the Criminal Justice System who dedicate their lives to solving crimes, helping victims, working with offenders and ensuring this country is a just, safe and fair place to live.

“The quality of the work of all the finalists was tremendous.

“The Justice Awards exemplifies the dedication of staff and volunteers across the Criminal Justice System to making communities better.”

If you would like to become a volunteer within victim support and the witness service, call 0845 3899548 for an application pack.

Have you benefitted from the care and compassion of the volunteers at Ipswich Crown Court? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk