A MAN who got into an elderly woman’s car demanding money was met with a stoic response from the veteran motorist, a court heard.

Glen Robert Vickers followed the woman, in her 70s, back to her car after she withdrew £50 from a cash machine at the Asda store, at Seaham, on October 16, 2016.

After she took to the driver’s seat, Vickers also got into the car, saying: “Give us your money.”

But he was told to get out and duly left the car, empty-handed.

He was eventually traced as his finger print was left on the car door handle, but he went on to deny a charge of attempted theft.

Vickers, 45, of North Bridge Street, Sunderland, was found guilty in his absence following a trial before magistrates last month, and, after a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, he was re-bailed by the bench several days later, pending sentence.

But, he again failed to attend for sentencing, at Durham Crown Court, and his barrister, Jane Waugh, told the hearing he was aware of the listing date, so she could offer no explanation for his absence.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said despite having 40 previous convictions for failing to attend court, the magistrates agreed to grant him bail, days before Christmas.

Issuing a bench warrant for Vickers’ re-arrest, Recorder Ian Atherton told the hearing that if he had managed to get to court by public transport, despite the wintry weather, then so could the defendant.