A WORCESTER sex offender has seen his sentence delayed yet again after his mother fell in the public gallery.
Matthew Sherwood admitted attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and having indecent images of children in late January.
The seventh hearing of the case was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon (July 5) and just after Sherwood confirmed his name the sentence got underway at Worcester Crown Court.
But as the 37-year-old's family came up the steep stairs of courtroom one to support him in the public gallery there was suddenly a loud crash, a woman falling.
Judge Martin Jackson said he would retire while the woman was attended to and told dock officers to take Sherwood down to the cells.
After 30 minutes Sherwood’s mother remained in court, the hearing resuming.
The judge then said: “The position as I understand it is the defendant’s mother is still in the public gallery and waiting attendance of a paramedic.”
The judge said he understood she would be distressed if sentence went ahead.
READ MORE: Worcester sex offender's sentencing is adjourned again
READ MORE: Revealed - face of Worcester sex offender who hid behind human shield
READ MORE: Black & White cafe owner banned from entering Hopmarket Flowers after attacking staff
Sarah Brady, defending Sherwood, said she was making an application to adjourn as - despite the defendant and his mother wanting the case concluded - she said in the circumstances “it would not seem right” to continue.
The judge said he had looked at moving to another courtroom but as there were trials in both courtroom two and three, that was not an option.
After David Jackson, prosecuting, raised no objection to an adjournment, the judge said: “With some degree of reluctance, taking into account the position we are in, we will adjourn.”
The judge told Sherwood the case would be heard at 11am on Wednesday morning, (July 6), being given unconditional bail.
Around an hour after the hearing the family had left the court as they were informed there was a six-hour wait for an ambulance.
Sherwood was originally due to be sentenced on March 2 but the case was adjourned for six weeks.
And the last hearing, in June, could not go ahead as Sherwood was in hospital.
The defendant, of Mandalay Drive, Norton, near Worcester, admits attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child between January 31, 2020 and February 8, 2020.
He further admits attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity between January 31, 2020 and February 8, 2020.
Supporters previously created a human shield outside Worcester Magistrates Court to prevent a picture of him being taken.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel