OFFENDERS from Devizes and Marlborough who are likely to be facing prison sentences, will continue to be sent to magistrates' courts in Andover, despite the difficulties caused by poor public transport.

The Wiltshire Magistrates Committee began holding one session a week at the Hampshire courthouse after custody facilities at Devizes, Trowbridge and Salisbury were condemned by an independent survey as being in contravention of the Human Rights Act.

Despite assurances that the move would not inconvenience defendants, more and more are finding it difficult to get to Andover.

Last Thursday two offenders failed to turn up for sentence because of difficulties in getting to court.

Jamie Hair, 27, of Bricksteed Avenue, Devizes, was due to appear for sentence having previously pleaded guilty to seven charges of theft from shops.

His solicitor, Emm Wrench, said he had arranged a lift to court but the car that he was supposed to be travelling in had broken down. He could not afford the bus fare as he is on benefit.

Patrick Hughes, 31, of Waiblingen Way, Devizes, also failed to turn up for his hearing.

The court was told he had missed the bus that would have got him to the court by 10.45am, and he would not be able to get to Andover before 1.30pm.

He did not appear, however, and his case was adjourned to Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes today.

To get to Andover from Devizes by public transport involves at least one change of bus. To get to court by 10am, a defendant or witness would have to leave Devizes at 7.20am, catch a bus to Salisbury, arriving at 8.35am. The bus from there to Andover leaves at 8.50am and arrives at 9.43am.

The fair is £5.50 each way but a Wiltshire Day Rover is sometimes available at £6 for a return journey.

Solicitors and barristers have also said they are unhappy about potential custody cases being sent over the county boundary. They say it is costly and can lead to an increase in the number of non-attenders.

One solicitor, who did not want to be identified, said: "I don't understand why Devizes cases have to come to Andover. They can equally well be dealt with at Devizes. A lot of people have told me they preferred Devizes cells because you can chat to each other, rather than being shut on your own in a tiny concrete box.

"The cost of getting Devizes-based people to Andover is astronomical. Besides which, the whole point about the magistrates' courts system is that it is local justice being dispensed locally by local people."

Paul Wilcock, chief executive of the Wiltshire Magistrates' Courts Service, said that the option of being dealt with at Chippenham Magistrates' Court, which has excellent custody facilities, is still open to defendants whose solicitors apply for it.

He said: "Each case is judged on its own merits, but if it is more convenient for the defendant, victim and witnesses to go to Chippenham rather than Andover, it can be arranged."

The proposed closure of Devizes and Trowbridge Magistrates' Courts and the building of a new courthouse in Salisbury are still being discussed by the Wiltshire Magistrates' Courts Committee and the Lord Chancellor's Department.