A COUPLE who broke bail and sent a judge a holiday postcard from Spain were behind bars yesterday.

Victoria Ford and her boyfriend, Glen Mitchell, both 25, flew to Benidorm and sent police the postcard saying they would rather have "sex on the beach".

Miss Ford, from Tarring Street, Stockton, Teesside, had been due to appear at Teesside Crown Court to stand trial following allegations of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault on a police officer.

Mr Mitchell, of Bishopton Road, Stockton, is facing further charges for alleged dangerous driving.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, told the court in March: "The defendant and her boyfriend have thoughtfully sent a postcard to the police informing them they are in Benidorm and intend staying there until their money runs out."

Mr Newcombe passed the postcard, showing a picture of palm trees fringing a sunny beach, to Judge Fox, saying the message began: "Hi there, Ronny Biggs here."

Mr Newcombe said: "The mention of sex on the beach is, I understand, a reference to a popular song.

"And the message finished, Adios Amigos. See you when we get back to England, Glen and Vicky."

He said the card had been sent after a phone call made by Mitchell to the police.

Tim Roberts, for Miss Ford, said in court yesterday: "She failed to appear in court in March for which she has no reasonable excuse."

Nigel Soppitt, for Mitchell, said: "Mr Mitchell was in Benidorm from where he sent a card to police officers. He has no excuse for his non-attendance at court."

Judge Les Spittle adjourned proceedings and remanded the couple to prison in Stockton, telling them he had no intention of giving them the chance to return to Benidorm just yet.