A ROBBER missed an operation to have his foot amputated to attend a court hearing, leading to an apology from the judge.

Adrian Sharp was due to have a foot amputated on the day he appeared at Worcester Crown Court via videolink from HMP Dovegate following a robbery in Cutnall Green, near Droitwich.

The 52-year-old admitted the robbery on May 7, 2015 which involved the theft of cash, bank cards and jewellery, denied possession of an offensive weapon on the same date.

Timothy Harrington said others were involved and Sharp had been acting as the driver and lookout and had not been identified by the complainants in the case.

Nicholas Berry, defending, said: "He has serious difficulties with his foot and an amputation is imminent. I understand it was booked for this morning but, due to this court hearing, it's having to be re-arranged."

An application was made to adjourn the hearing for medical reasons.

The case will next be heard, also via videolink, on Monday, July 7.

Mr Berry said: "Hopefully by then he will have had his amputation."

Judge Jim Tindal apologised to Sharp that the court hearing had interfered with the operation.

Sharp was remanded in custody until the next hearing.