A SWINDON man missed his trial – because he was self-isolating, a court heard.

Christopher Bonner, 51, was found guilty in his absence last November of assault and breaking into children’s soft play area Kidz About and stealing a packet of chocolate biscuits.

But Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard on Thursday that Bonner had received a note from the NHS the day before his trial telling him he needed to self-isolate. A letter was shown to the justices. 

Emma Hillier, defending, applied for the conviction to be sent aside and the case reopened.

Magistrates approved the request and bailed Bonner, of Station Road, Swindon, for the trial on March 26.