Wigan molester convicted in his absence after court no-show

By Charles Graham
Published 11th Aug 2023, 12:30 BST
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A Wigan man accused of sexually touching a woman without her consent has been found guilty in his absence after a court no-show.

Jamie Ratchford, 35, of Avon Road, Norley, had denied committing the alleged offence against a woman over the age of 16 on October 7.

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He also pleaded not guilty to being in possession of class B drug amphetamine on October 27.

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When Jamie Ratchford failed to appear in court accused of sex and drug offences, justices decided to press on regardlessWhen Jamie Ratchford failed to appear in court accused of sex and drug offences, justices decided to press on regardless
When Jamie Ratchford failed to appear in court accused of sex and drug offences, justices decided to press on regardless

But when he failed to attend his trial at Wigan Magistrates' Court this month, justices pressed ahead and convicted him on both counts.

The case has now been adjourned until September 19 for the preparation of pre-sentence reports, before which time Ratchford is on bail, conditional that he does not have any contact with two named people.