Man with Telford links arrested at airport now jailed after missing trial

Jon Barnes, 24, was arrested at Gatwick Airport when he attempted to re-enter the country.

He went abroad ahead of his court appearance at Shrewsbury Crown Court on June 11, 2018 and the matter was heard in his absence.

Barnes was subsequently found guilty and sentenced of an assault relating to an incident which happened in 2017.

The court sentenced him to 12 months jail for the offence.

At a hearing on Monday the long hand of the law caught up with the defendant and the matter was re-convened at a video link hearing at Shrewsbury after Barnes was taken into custody by Surrey Police.

Barnes told the hearing: "I thought the case was over. I left the country in February 2018 to start new life with my family."

"I believe sending me to prison today is wrong. I'm due to start a new job."

But Judge Peter Barrie told him that he had no power to reverse the jail term already handed down and that he did not accept his explanation that there was misunderstanding over a letter sent to him by a magistrates over a separate matter.

"The fact is that you did not attend court when you should have. You will need to take it up with the appeal court."

"There is really no good excuse for the fact that you left the jurisdiction and failed to attend court and your trial. You were tried and sentenced in your absence and the reality is you had gone abroad with your family.

"I follow the sentencing guidelines taking in account there has been a substantial delay and justice interference. There are a few things in your favour, including that you have never been in trouble with the courts before," the judge said.

The father-of-three also admitted failing to attend court at the latest hearing.

Mitigating for Barnes, Mr Ranjit Sandhu, said: "He honestly believed that his case had been concluded which is the reason he didn't attend. He had been to the magistrates court and had received a letter about a fine. He thought it was about the crown court case.

"He believed that the matter had been resolved."

Mr Sandhu said Barnes gave the court an address in Wealdstone, in Woodside, Telford, but had not been informed by his relatives of any letters arriving with court dates.

For assault he was jailed for 12 months and for the bail offence one month to run consecutively. He must serve half before post release supervision for 12 months. He must also pay the victims' surcharge.