The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A male physiotherapist accused of two sexual assaults on a woman left the country the day before his court case.
Marib Zaibi was living in Stonegate, Spalding, when the offences are alleged to have happened in Crowland on February 7 last year.
The 27-year-old defendant was due before magistrates in Boston on Wednesday.
However, his solicitor said Zaibi told him at 11.50pm on Tuesday that he had flown to India because his mother had suffered a panic attack after breaking the news to her of his court appearance.
The court was told the defendant intended to plead not guilty and expected to return on September 10.
Crown prosecutor Ruth Stirland said, if convicted, the offences were serious enough to end Mr Zaibi’s career and his action showed “disrespect” towards the court.
She said: “The defendant was absolutely aware of today’s hearing and he’s voted with his feet.
“What disrespect to the court. Just because someone’s having a panic attack it doesn’t mean they are going to die.
“The only way we are going to get him now is a warrant.”
The bench said Zaibi could have delayed his travel by 24 hours and issued an arrest warrant.
Zaibi’s current address is in Wheeleys Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
