Dangerous-dog defendant too intoxicated to be allowed into Leeds Crown Court building
Security staff at Leeds Crown Court refused to allow a defendant into the building after he was found to be heavily under the influence of drink or drugs.
Joseph Driver was due to be sentenced for dog attack in Leeds city centre, but his barrister told the judge that he had been stopped from entering the court due to his “presentation”.
Olivia Fraser told Judge Simon Phillips KC that she was uncertain whether Driver had been drinking or taking drugs, but described him as being incoherent.
She said his condition had deteriorated over the day and there were “clearly issues to be addressed” over his mental health.
A warrant was not issued for his arrest, with Judge Phillips saying he would give the 39-year-old one final chance to return to court on December 4.
He told the court: “If he is not in a fit state to attend then, he will be arrested and taken into custody.”
Driver, of Ivy Close, Wakefield, had previously admitted a charge of having a dog dangerously out of control that injured a person.
The incident happened on Briggate in Leeds on July 25 when the “Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog” attacked a woman without provocation.
Judge Phillips said he had viewed CCTV footage of the incident and was concerned by what he had seen.
The court was told the dog remains in secure custody.