Witney defendant branded an 'idiot' for prioritising party
Corn Street, Witney Picture: GOOGLE A phone thief was branded an ‘idiot’ by his own lawyer for prioritising a seaside birthday party over speaking to the probation service. Leigh Clarke, 30, was due to be sentenced on Monday morning alongside friend Samuel Cooper, 29, for attacking another man and taking his phone. But his brief, Lyall Thompson, told Oxford Crown Court there was no probation report and that the officer had been unable to get in touch with his client until last Thursday. He said it was unfortunate that an appointment was given at such late notice but acknowledged h...