A Gateshead man charged over sex videos taken in Liverpool's Concert Square has said that he couldn't afford to go to court, before a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Joe Firby, 23, was due to appear before Liverpool Magistrates' Court this afternoon, in relation to a charge of outraging public decency on August 2.
He was charged following the emergence of videos taken in Liverpool city centre, which showed a man and a woman performing sexual acts in front of members of the public.
Read more: Gateshead man charged after video emerges online of two people having sex in Liverpool city centre
The Liverpool Echo reports that the footage was then posted online, before being shared thousands of times, leading Merseyside Police to launch an investigation. Firby was due to appear in court on Tuesday but staff later informed District Judge Paul Healey that he sent an email to the court in which he stated that he had lost his job and did not have the money to hire a solicitor or travel from the North East to Liverpool.
He then requested he be allowed to appear over video link.
Andrew Page, prosecuting, requested a warrant be issued for Firby’s arrest, saying he had ample time to organise his legal representation and travel to Liverpool since he was charged six weeks ago.
District Judge Healey said: “He was charged back in August. His first contact with the court was this morning saying he did not have the funds to attend but I do take the point that he has had ample time and take the view that his explanation is not sufficient. Therefore I am convinced to issue a warrant not backed for bail.”
District Judge Healey’s order means Firby can now be arrested and brought to court.
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