A disabled woman was due to give evidence to a court today via a TV link from her Sussex nursing home during a trial at Lewes Crown Court.

The ground-breaking move is necessary because the key witness is confined to a large wheelchair which carries its own oxygen supply.

There is not enough space in the court for her to attend in person, although the building does have disabled access.

A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "The space required by the wheelchair and other medical equipment makes it impossible for her to attend court.

"There has been a real sea change in the past few years in how the criminal justice system deals with witnesses."

The woman is due to give evidence at the trial of a man who denies four counts of indecent assault.