A MAN who is alleged to have stolen from a Malvern shop did not appear at a Worcester court for his hearing after a police officer said he failed to show up for a lift.
Andrew Wilcox, of Cowleigh Road, Malvern, had been due at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, (August 11), to face charges of theft from a shop, and failing to comply with a community protection notice.
Both offences are alleged to have taken place on July 6, and the items Wilcox is alleged to have taken from the Co-op in Malvern are Fairtrade Chenin Blanc Wine and a bottle of gin fizz.
When the hearing got underway Chris Aggrey, defending, said he was making an application to put the case back to a later date as Wilcox was not in court.
A police officer then stood and told magistrates he arranged to pick the 63-year-old up to give him a lift to court, but Wilcox had not shown up at the meeting spot.
Susan Kitchener, chairman of the magistrates bench, then asked Mr Aggrey what guarantee there would be Wilcox would attend the next hearing.
Mr Aggrey replied there could be no guarantee but they stood the "best possible chance" with an officer keeping an eye on him.
Magistrates agreed to adjourn the case until August 25.
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