A FORMER Whitchurch man will be given 48 hours to explain why he did not attend a sentencing for being caught in a decoy sting.

Anthony Allen, of Cae Daniel in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham, was set to be sentenced for four charges which were alleged to have taken place in Whitchurch between August 7 and September 7, 2018.

However, he would not have been able to be sentenced for the charges because, according to defence barrister Kevin Jones, a psychiatric report had still not been published.

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Mr Jones said he was unaware of the reasons why his client has not attended Shrewsbury Crown Court, sitting at Telford Justice Centre.

He told Recorder Justin Taylor that the report, which the judge had overturned previous rulings to order, had still been prepared for whether Allen was fit to plead as a result of diminishing mental health.

But Mr Jones said that report was no longer required as Allen changed his pleas to guilty but his solicitors had not communicated that to the psychiatrist responsible.

Mr Jones asked for a letter to be sent from Allen’s solicitors to the court confirming that they were both in touch with him and able to provide reasons for his non-attendance.

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This, in his words, was to avoid the need for Recorder Taylor to issue a bench warrant for Allen’s arrest but both men said a new hearing will be created if the letter doesn’t arrive by end of proceedings on Wednesday.

Allen has pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child called Ruby, who was in fact an adult posing as a decoy.  

He will be sentenced on Monday, October 14.