A man accused of attacking another in a road rage incident was warned against going to Spain.
District Judge Joanna Dickens warned Michael McBride: “Don’t go to Spain and say you’re self-isolating.”
She took pains to point out she was not suggesting he would leave for Europe but made the comments as she told him of the importance of attending his trial.
“It’s pretty easy to fake a covid symptom and it’s pretty easy to fake a reason in covid times for not coming and the court will just have to adjourn it,” she said.
“What will not happen is this case will not go away.”
McBride, 36, of Bolingbroke Road, Moredon, had earlier pleaded not guilty to a single charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
It is alleged he struck a pedestrian after the man pushed his wing mirror in Swindon on December 30 last year.
Ms Dickens bailed him for the trial at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on October 5. The trial is expected to last a day.
McBride was represented by Gordon Hotson. Nick Barr appeared for the Crown.
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