Walsall criminal to spend Christmas in prison after defending himself and forgetting to fill out his own bail application
A prisoner from Walsall determined to represent himself at Wolverhampton Crown Court will be spending Christmas behind bars after not researching his own crime's sentencing guidelines and taking a novel approach to applying for bail.
Anthony Herbert, of Woodbridge Crescent, Shelfield in Walsall, appeared by video link from HMP Birmingham at Wolverhampton Crown Court this week and was determined to be a legal eagle despite being told to get representation at his last hearing.
This week the 48-year-old told Recorder William Douglas-Jones he 'just wanted to get on with it' and be sentenced for several offences during a week to forget in October 2023 which started with injuring a man whilst driving his Audi dangerously whilst disqualified and ended being charged with possessing a blade in public after brandishing a knife to police officers who arrested him at home.
However, in the name of fairness Judge Douglas-Jones did not want Herbert to be sentenced without representation or being in court in person so he could read papers relating to his case.
The Recorder said: "The last time you were in court you were told by Judge Talog Davies to get legal representation. Did you try?"
Herbert responded: "I spoke to one firm and they wanted £4,000 to represent me so I tried Ben Shepherd Solicitors in Walsall but they said he was too busy."
Recorder Douglas-Jones asked: "When did you contact Mr Shepherd?" Herbert responded: "The wife rang them yesterday and they said they were too busy to represent me today and I should represent myself."
Herbert then asked the Recorder: "Have you any idea how long I am looking at?'
