Dodging the issue

[Babz]

Someone I know has been charged with fraud and deception of certain people to the amount of approx �5000, she has denied it all who will listen and to the magistrates court through a solicior but has dodged every court apprearance date so far by claiming to be ill, even being admitted into hospital., and providing doctors notes. There are some health issues but I'm sure she's exaggerating them for this purpose. Does anyone know what will eventually happen if she keeps doing this? Will they eventually try the case in her abscence and do people receive jail sentences for crimes like this? She hasn't admitted any of this but I've found out by Internet searches and a bit of snooping.

[Annlinda]

Eventually a magistrate may delve a little deeper into her medical condition, questions could be asked whether she really is unfit to attend court.The arguement being she may be unfit for work but would her condition preclude her from appearing before the bench. Doctors reports are called for and quite often defendants make a sudden recovery from their "ailments". the prosecution doesn't go away. Most recent similar case I know of the sentence was 6months prison suspended for 1 year, 180 hours unpaid work plus compensation.

[Babz]

Thanks for that info Annlinda, she is currently in hospital awaiting another op so it isn't all lies, but surely it would be better to face the consequences and get on with the punishment...it's not as bad as I thought it would be.