A COURT has heard ongoing police shortages in Tamworth are delaying cases, with a magistrate "urging the prosecution" to "get their act together".

Acting Magistrate Robert Rabbidge said he knew "police are heavily understaffed" and magistrates "see it every day" in courts, particularly in Tamworth.

Mr Rabbidge made the comments in the case against Tamworth man Kobi Johnson after his Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) solicitor tried to have the case dismissed because of lengthy delays.

Under the court's own timeframe, the prosecution has six months to compile and serve the evidence against the accused, and confirm the charges it relies upon, to ensure those before the court don't face undue delays.

But Mr Rabbidge acknowledged staff "are trying to cope with huge workloads", and "the practi

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