A frustrated judge said he hopes to never be a victim of crime in Bucks after hitting out at delays to a case yesterday.

Judge Francis Sheridan had hoped to sentence two men at Aylesbury Crown Court, who had admitted a string of offences including theft.

But he was told the prosecution case against the men had not yet been completed, in spite of previous directions from the judge to have key information ready.

The prosecuting lawyer told the judge he was not able to confirm the value of the goods that had been stolen by the two men, who had each pleaded guilty to 12 offences - five of which were committed in High Wycombe, the court heard.

An exasperated Judge Sheridan said he had no alternative but to delay the hearing for a further three weeks, and hit out at the waste of court time that had been taken up by yesterday's hearing.

He said: "We have got no idea as to the extent of the losses, what compensation, if any, is sought.

"You are the last voice for the victims of crime.

"This is an extra hearing - it's not right.

"I hope I am never a victim of crime in this county."

The judge was told a key pre-sentence report for one of the defendants - outlining their likely risk of re-offending - had not been completed.

Ordering the information to be ready for the rearranged hearing on May 11, Judge Sheridan told the prosecutor: "Start to comply with some court orders - just one or two, please."

He added the two men were likely to go to jail: "This has got custody stamped all over it."