AN arrest warrant has been issued for a 28-year-old bike thief who missed his sentencing at court.

Elliott Harper was due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday (February 27) for three counts of theft of a pedal cycle and two counts of theft from a shop.

In Oxford on November 22, he stole an £800 bike from Park Roads, on November 30 he stole an £800 bike from Glanville Road, and on December 1, stole a £500 mountain bike from The Leys Pool Leisure Centre.

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On December 3 from the Co-Op in Rose Hill, he stole £65 worth of washing tablets and detergent and on January 24 from the Co-Op in London Road, he stole £70 of washing tablets.

He was due to be sentenced by Judge Michael Gledhill who gave Harper, of no fixed abode, an hour past his hearing time to arrive in court.

The court heard from the probation service that Harper had not been in contact with Turning Point, an organisation which helps with alcohol and drug addictions, or St Mungo’s, a homeless charity.

Harper had given his number to the police as requested but had not been answering the number when called.

As a result, a bench warrant not back for bail has now been issued meaning Harper can be arrested and brought to court.