HOME secretary Jack Straw says a chance encounter with a Preston prisoner helped him to decide a controversial shake-up of the right to trial by jury.

Under plans devised by the Blackburn MP, people accused of burglary, theft and assault, would be denied the the chance to opt for a crown court hearing.

It is hoped the moves will save the legal system millions of pounds but the proposed changes have also attracted strong criticism from MPs, lawyers and human rights groups.

The Home Secretary says a visit to Preston Prison helped him to make up his mind about the proposals, after speaking to one of the prisoners. He said: "I was talking to a man who was on remand and knew exactly what he was up to.

"He said he wanted to string the process out as long as possible.

"His aim was to serve the whole of his sentence on remand and enjoy all of the privileges that entailed."

Mr Straw added: "The aim of our justice system is to be fair and just, and the rights of the defendant must be paramount.

"We must make sure those rights are not abused."

A Law Society spokesman said: "It is wrong to take away a defendant's right to chose to be dealt with be a jury."

Ethnic minority groups claim the new system would mean more black people would be convicted as they don't always get a fair trial in magistrates courts.

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