A Corby man due to be sentenced for his part in a street brawl has failed to turn up at court.

Matthew Brown, 34, was due to be sentenced for affray at Northampton Crown Court this morning (Thursday, November 12).

But his barrister was left to explain his absence to the judge, telling him that they had made several attempts to contact the defendant.

Barrister Caroline Bray, for Brown, told His Honour Judge William Harbage KC that her client had not turned up.

She said: “We have tried to contact him but he hasn’t responded.

“I’m afraid we have lost contact with him completely.

“I can’t resist the application my friend will make.

“I don’t think my client knows about today’s hearing but I don’t see any other way to contact him about it so the application won’t be opposed.”

Prosecuting barrister Tom Orpin-Massey asked the judge to issue a warrant for the arrest of Brown, of Bentley Walk, Corby.

His Honour Judge William Harbage issued a no-bail warrant which police officers will execute at their earliest opportunity.

Brown had been due to face the court after being convicted of affray following a brawl involving weapons on the Beanfield estate last Feburary. Several other people have also been sentenced in connection with the incident, including Chey-Kenzi Alexander who was givnen a suspended jail term.

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