FOLLOWING your front page article (LET, April 9) and subsequent coverage in a national newspaper and local television regarding the failure of PC Geoff Warburton to attend the Crown Court, it seems that the trial by media has not considered the possibility that the fault may lie elsewhere.

I can recall a number of occasions during my police service when I was not warned to attend court when I was required. Equally, I have also attended court in response to a warning, only to be told on my arrival that the Crown Prosecution Service had not required my attendance in the first place.

I have also been warned to attend court with less than 24 hours' notice while on annual leave, notwithstanding the fact that the CPS had been given details of my leave commitments some months previously.

Such administrative errors are not rare.

Name and address received.