An MP has called for an investigation into a judge who berated an Oxfordshire family who could not attend court to give evidence against a man who attacked them with an axe.

Wantage MP Robert Jackson has written to the Lord Chancellor, Derry Irvine, asking him to investigate the Crown Prosecution Service's handling of the case and the judge's reaction.

Reuben and Susan White, of Appleton, near Cumnor, accused Judge Anthony King of causing "trauma, distress and humiliation" to them and their son Christopher after they were given a public dressing down for failing to attend.

The CPS said it had made Oxford Crown Court aware Mr and Mrs White had a herd of 150 cows which needed milking, at 250-acre Cheers Farm in Netherton Road, and would need 24 hours' notice to attend.

When other court business ended earlier than expected the case was listed at short notice.

Mr Jackson said he had only heard the family's side of the story, but added: "If it's true that the Whites had originally explained their problems in getting to court, and the CPS acknowledged this, the judge should not have vented his irritation on the Whites."