Jail term takes man by surprise

THE perils of failing to appear in court has been brought home to a young Toowoomba man who has found himself behind bars.

Tanner Hughie Mark Williams complained aloud from the dock when he realised Magistrate Robbie Davies had just jailed him on a charge of failing to appear in court.

“When people don’t turn up to court, it’s incredibly frustrating for the court,” Mr Davies explained.

“Warrants have to be issued and police have to go out and arrest you.”

Mr Davies said Williams at 23 years of age already had five pages of criminal history which included previous offences of failing to appear in court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Al Windsor told the court Williams had been picked up by police in the early hours of yesterday on a failing to appear in court warrant, having failed to front court as required earlier this month.

Williams said he had simply got his court dates mixed up.

Mr Davies took into account the six or so hours Williams had spent in custody and sentenced him to one month in jail but ordered he be released on parole on September 9 after serving about 10 days.

The 23-year-old was remanded to appear back in the same court for mention on his original charges next month and was reminded by Mr Davies what would happen should he failed to show up at court on that day.

■ ELIZABETH Grace Buhler fared a little better when she appeared in custody on a charge of failing to appear in court from earlier this month.

She was picked up by police in the early hours of yesterday at the Gowrie Road Hotel and appeared in court in custody to plead guilty to the charge.

Mr Davies noted the 25year-old had less criminal history than Williams but still sentenced her to one month in jail but suspended the term in full for 12 months.

She was remanded to appear back in court on September 20.