A MAN accused of harassing a woman by using a megaphone and banging on her doors and window had his sentencing delayed because his solicitor did not attend.
Martyn Robert Austin previously admitted harassing a woman in Swindon between May 2 and 8, 2021, by visiting her address, banging on the doors and windows, speaking through the letterbox, gesturing, and using a megaphone.
The 48-year-old had also indicated guilty pleas to possessing two bladed articles in the town on May 7 – a samurai sword and commando knife.
He had also admitted damaging a custody cell in Melksham on July 23.
But there was confusion at Swindon Crown Court on Friday as Austin’s solicitor did not turn up for his sentencing.
The defendant, of no fixed abode in the Devizes area, appeared on video link from HMP Bristol expecting to speak to his legal representative, but was left confused when no one was there.
Judge Jason Taylor QC decided not to sentence Austin without representation. He ordered a pre-sentence report in the interim.
Addressing the defendant, he said: “I’m not going to proceed to sentence you without representation. We will adjourn this case to a date to be fixed.”
He is due back before the same court on February 23.
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