'Sorry for missing your trial date' - Judge apologises to Walsall robbery defendant for court delays
Trial for Walsall robbery defendant is rescheduled.
A judge apologised to a defendant for court delays after his robbery trial had be rescheduled.
The trial for Curtis Douglas, aged 40, should have been held before a jury last month for allegations of robbery, dangerous driving, theft from a person, driving with excess alcohol, having no licence and having no insurance.
Douglas denies the offences which allegedly took place in Walsall on December 13 last year.
But Recorder Joanne Barker told a hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court sitting at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court that the previous trial date last month had been ineffective and a new date was required.
“It is a sorry state of affairs. You have my apologies that the court couldn’t accommodate your case when it should have and we have to list it again.
“Your custody time limit is due to expire on June 15. There is an application to extend it. It is not opposed and is a wholly reasonable request.
“I’m content that the prosecution has acted with due diligence and I have no choice due to the difficulties. The custody time limit is now extended to October 30. Your trial will be on October 26. You have already been warned of the consequences of not attending,” the judge said.
Curtis, of no fixed abode and who appeared via prison video link was remanded in custody until then.