A JUDGE voiced scepticism at the reason given for a couple's failure to attend court as he issued a warrant for their arrest.
Jamie Rice, 34, and Adell Thomas, 33, previously admitted stealing a black mountain bike, a blue childrens' push bike, a clock, Christmas decorations, a black suitcase, a toolbox tray and various tools, a doormat, an inflatable kayak and a rucksack from The Victorian Institute, Sansome Walk.
The offence took place on September 8 last year.
Both pleaded guilty to burglary when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court in February, and on Thursday, (April 13) the couple were due to return to the court for sentencing.
But at the start of the hearing Simon Phillips, defending, explained why neither Rice or Thomas, both of Freer Road, Aston, Birmingham, were at court.
"Mr Rice rang (the solicitors firm) this morning," Mr Phillips said.
"He told a secretary Adell was currently in hospital so she will not be attending court."
Mr Phillips said the secretary had Rice he would need to produce a medical note for the court, before asking if Rice would attend his sentencing.
"He answered 'no' as he would be looking after Adell," Mr Phillips said.
"He was advised the hearing was at 3pm.
"He hung up before he could be told to be here for 2pm."
Announcements were also made on the court's tannoy ahead of the scheduled hearing.
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Mr Phillips added no medical note had been provided to the court before then saying that he understood the same situation had happened last month.
Judge Martin Jackson confirmed it had as he had heard the case on that occasion when he adjourned the sentence for four weeks.
We reported on that hearing in which the same reason was given to the court for the pair's non-attendance.
Jamie Scott, prosecuting, asked for a warrant to be issued due to it being a second occasion.
The judge said: "Given the failure of the defendants to provide any medical evidence at all I'm afraid to say an excuse is being used."
He then issued the warrant not back for bail.
Judge Jackson added police should be told to use their discretion if it turned out Thomas was in fact in hospital.
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