Non appearance in court is quite common here. Twenty-three guys were caught in the UK betting shop two years ago and every time they go to court, the case gets postponed for two or three months because some of the 23 are missing. Excuses range from being on holiday, one working in Paphos installing air conditioning and several more with health-related excuses.
They all plead not guilty and just using the betting shop as their local cafe, only three are still working full-time and the rest are pensioners and they are all very friendly with the judge and on good terms as over the two years they have got used to each other. My husband and his brother are among the number and don't seem too worried about the outcome.
Annaka.