An offender who faces a charge of breaching a community order after he told probation officers he could not attend a meeting as he had an appointment with a gynaecologist yesterday failed to turn up for a court appearance as he said he is suffering from bereavement.

An offender who faces a charge of breaching a community order after he told probation officers he could not attend a meeting as he had an appointment with a gynaecologist yesterday failed to turn up for a court appearance as he said he is suffering from bereavement.

Norwich Crown Court was told at an earlier hearing how James Bunnett 27 of Burghwood Drive, Mileham, near Dereham, changed a name in a letter confirming the appointment with a gynaecologist after changing the Mrs to a Mr by making the 's' into a full stop.

But he failed to turn up and instead sent in a note from his GP saying he could not come to court until August 25 as he is now suffering from bereavement.

Judge Downes said: "I did not realise bereavement was a medical condition."

He ordered that Bunnett or his GP attend court next week.

He said if the doctor or Bunnett failed to appear on Monday then a warrant would be issued for Bunnett's arrest.