A BENCH warrant was issued for the arrest of a woman after she failed to attend a court hearing facing a robbery charge.

Helen Jones, 38, is accused of stealing a gold chain and two rings, plus a purse, containing £27, after allegedly attacking another woman, with whom she had been drinking, in Brandon, on June 27, 2019.

The case has twice been listed at Durham Crown Court, sitting in Newcastle, this month, but was adjourned on May 20 until a scheduled plea hearing at which the defendant was due to attend, yesterday.

But when she failed to appear, her counsel, Robert Mochrie, said: “It was adjourned to give her the opportunity to engage and attend at court, but she has not done so.”

Judge James Adkin duly issued the warrant for the arrest of the defendant, of Palm Lea, Brandon, and set a trial date on September 14