SENTENCING of the company Sarum Hotel Ltd, found guilty of contravening planning and public health laws, was delayed for a second time on Friday – because representative Robert Weston was not ready.

The court agreed to a delay until Monday afternoon, but Mr Weston was advised by the Bailiff, Sir Philip Bailhache, that it was most inconvenient and the court would not accept any further requests to put off sentencing.

Crown Advocate Conrad Yates said that an 11th hour request by Mr Weston to address the court for possibly up to an hour about why he wanted a delay had led to two other sentencings having to be deferred.

‘To say that to adjourn sentencing of the defendant company is an inconvenience would be a considerable understatement, as the court has already rearranged today’s sitting and two defendants due to be dealt with have had their cases adjourned,’ said Sir Philip.

Nonetheless, in the interests of justice to the defendant company, the court accepted that the sentencing case advanced by the Crown had to be examined carefully.

Sir Philip said that the court was bending over backwards to assist Mr Weston and he should be in no doubt that the sentencing would definitely go ahead on the new date.