A “PERSISTENT and shameless criminal” represented himself in a trial and refused to come out of his cell to hear the jury’s verdict.

Henry McGrath was jailed at Oxford Crown Court on Monday but was yet again absent from court as he chose to communicate with the judge through hand-written notes.

The homeless 55-year-old was convicted of five counts of handling stolen goods, four charges of making off with fuel without payment and theft after an often-interrupted two-week trial.

McGrath represented himself throughout proceedings having previously sacked a string of barristers.

As the jury delivered its verdicts on Friday, the defendant refused to come up from his cell and instead passed a note to the court which read: “Trial judge, see you and your friends in the Court of Appeal.

“If you can deny me justice I can deny you my presence. OK, yah?”

On Monday, he passed Judge Patrick Eccles another note which stated: “The same battle shall be fought in the Court of Appeal where you and the prosecution will be defeated.

“I hope your memories of me will be fond and ever-lasting.”

Prosecutor Tim Boswell responded: “My memories will certainly be ever-lasting, whether they will be fond, I think I’m too close to say.”

McGrath has 123 previous offences, including 20 frauds and 67 thefts.

Jailing McGrath for four years, Judge Eccles said: “He is a shameless criminal who appears to be incapable of being corrected or deterred.”

McGrath was found at a building in Tenacre Caravan Park, Sandford-on-Thames, in September 2010 with a collection of stolen items.

A hearing to decide whether his behaviour constituted contempt of court will be held in the new year.