Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill
12:15 pm
Maria Eagle: The intention is that only defendants who have been bailed to appear at trial, who are therefore aware of their requirement to appear, would be liable to be sentenced to custody in their absence. The clause also makes it clear that the defendant who is sentenced to custody in their absence will be brought to the court before being sent to prison, so there will be an opportunity at that time for the defendant to explain their failure to appear and for any further steps to be taken.