A burglar didn't turn up at court because he was in a police cell, a judge was told.

Andrew Hurtault, 39, was due before Oxford Crown Court on Monday accused of breaching his nine month suspended prison sentence by failing to attend probation appointments. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was hauled before Judge Ian Pringle QC on Wednesday afternoon.

Defence barrister Peter du Feu told the court that Hurtault had been at the police station on unrelated matters. “He told [the police] all about being at court,” he said.

Hurtault, formerly of Botley Road, Oxford, admitted breaching his suspended sentence order. He was bailed by the judge to return to court on June 28.

He had been given the suspended sentence in December last year for burglary. As part of his sentence he was ordered to complete a drug rehabilitation programme and up to 15 rehabilitation requirement sessions.

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