Man called appeal judge ‘mate’

A MAN from Widnes almost spent a night in the cells after calling the judge ‘mate.’

Anthony Abel of Tedder Square appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, December 21 to appeal a previous conviction.

In 2017, he was alleged to have entered Widnes police station to make an inquiry about his property, namely his mobile phone and his dog.

He was ‘dissatisfied’ with the answers given and said: “See what happens if I don’t get my dog back in September.”

He was alleged to have been ‘waving his arms’ causing ‘harassment and distress’ which Abel denies. There is no CCTV of the incident.

Abel was convicted of the incident in his absence and was trying to appeal the conviction.

PC Deborah Bishop was in court to give evidence for the prosecution in the appeal, however due to a personal issue was unable to give her evidence.

Another witness had provided a sick note to excuse her absence and another had fallen out of contact with the court.

The appeal was adjourned for February, 7 2019.

Throughout the pro- ceedings Abel’s behaviour left His Honour Judge Woodhall unimpressed.

When told he could sit down, Abel replied with ‘ta mate’.

Judge Woodhall warned him to ‘remember where you are’ and ‘don’t refer to me as your mate’.

Later in the proceedings, Abel retorted: “You need to address me with a little bit of respect.”

As a last warning Judge Woodhall threatened Abel with a night in the cells for contempt and advised him ‘it would do you a service if you kept your mouth shut’ before he was dismissed from the courtroom.