A PRIVATE chef accused of stalking has failed to show up in court as she has returned to France.
Ophelia Tonye was due to appear in Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (March 14) charged with two counts of stalking between May 9, 2022 and August 1, 2023.
The 40-year-old is accused of sending hundreds of unwanted messages and gifts to Robert Hampbel in Oxford.
READ MORE: Scales of Justice: The latest cases from Oxford Magistrates' Court
However, defence barrister Bethan Chichester said Tonye was a private chef during the offence and when her employers found out about the charge, she was let go.
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Tonye claimed she was unable to claim benefits and had to return home to France.
She asked to appear in court via video link but Judge Maria Lamb rejected the request.
A warrant not back for bail has now been issued.
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