AN order has been made by a judge sitting in Reading to force an elderly woman to come to court after she refused to attend her sentencing.

Ann Lea was due at Reading Crown Court today (April 12) to be sentenced after breaching a previous criminal behaviour order issued to her in October last year.

The 77-year-old was found guilty of calling 999 or activating a careline without a genuine emergency. She was prohibited from doing this but continued to make the calls regardless.

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As a result, Lea was due to be sentenced but made a ‘blunt refusal’ to attend the hearing despite a taxi being arranged to pick her up this morning.

The sentence has now been adjourned until Friday, April 21 and a warrant not backed for bail has been issued to ensure the 77-year-old, of Great Goodwin Drive, Guildford in Surrey, attends.

Once the warrant has been issued, the person named in the warrant may be arrested and brought to court forthwith.

Recorder Tom Payne said: “There was a blunt refusal to attend court. I gave her warnings on the last occasion and I’m satisfied that she understood the importance of today.”

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Lea has attended court previously for sentencing but the hearing was adjourned to await information on Lea’s physical disability and how a custodial sentence would impact her.