Walk with pet lands accused in doghouse

A Bath man gave a curious excuse for being so late for court that a warrant had to be issued for his arrest. Sameh Ghali, who is facing a charge of aggravated burglary, had been due at Bath Magistrates’ Court at 9am - but ran into trouble while taking his dog for a walk. His hound got into a fight with another dog, as he told the court in his rescheduled hearing on Wednesday afternoon last week, and its ear was bitten off. The 32-year-old then took his pet to the vet.

When asked why he failed to inform his solicitor, Ghali said he didn’t have his phone with him. Magistrates agreed to lift the arrest warrant which had been issued at 11.46am. Ghali was told: “It’s disappointing that you have a somewhat cavalier attitude to turning up at court when you’re supposed to be here whatever the circumstances.” Ghali stands charged with attempting to steal from a Radstock home on September 20 while possessing a metal bar. The case was adjourned for a plea

and case management hearing to be held at Bristol Crown Court on July 27. He was told by magistrates: “Mr Ghali, you’re being sent for trial to the crown court in Bristol. Until that time you’re released on unconditional bail. “That means if you don’t go to Bristol Crown Court on that date or time you could be arrested or sent to prison. “When your case is listed for trial, if you don’t turn up it will proceed in your absence and it’s not in your interests for that to happen.”