A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of former nightclub manager Jason Ranford after he failed to attend court to answer charges of driving while disqualified.

Ranford, of Boxwood House, Hinton Parva, did not attend his hearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court yesterday, citing ill health.

It is alleged on December 11 last year Ranford drove a VW Golf in Thamesdown Drive while disqualified.

In April 2014, Ranford was given a 30-month driving ban.

James Burham, prosecuting said 29-year-old Ranford had sent a note via his partner to inform the court that he would not be in attendance.

“He was complaining of being unwell and was advised that he should get a doctor's certificate," he said.

"He wasn’t able to get this because he said he was too unwell to see the doctor.

“If a doctor does not physically see a patient he cannot issue the certificate, he isn’t able to say he is unwell enough.”

Ranford’s solicitor Alex Daymond said the former Brunel Rooms manager was suffering from digestive issues which made his attendance difficult.

“He was feeling ill last week, and he is too ill to attend today.

“There is an indicated guilty plea but I propose we adjourn for seven days when my client is confident he will be in better health to attend.”

But district judge Simon Cooper said he was “cynical” regarding Ranford’s no-show at the court.

“I find it very convenient that he has not shown up today. Anyone could say they were too ill to attend court without a doctor’s note and it is simply not good enough," he said.

“I think he is trying to avoid it. I do not believe it and I issue a warrant with no bail.”