A WOMAN was arrested after failing to show up for her trial – despite being ordered by police to stay at a crime scene.

Phillippa Moore, 24, was accused of stealing hundreds of pounds worth of products from two stores in the Huddersfield area.

On the day of her trial she didn’t appear and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Moore informed the court that she discovered a body in a house and been told to stay there until police arrived.

However Kirklees magistrates ran the trial without her and found her guilty.

Moore was later arrested and spent the night in police cells.

Yesterday, a new bench agreed to reopen the case and refix Moore’s trial to give her the chance to prove her innocence.

Moore, of Marlborough Grange in Leeds, will now stand trial on March 26.

She faces two charges of theft from August 9.

On that date she is alleged to have targeted the B&Q store at the Leeds Road Retail Park with another person, and stolen a radiator valve, a kitchen tap and a roll of wallpaper.

The total value of goods allegedly taken totalled £127.

On the same day the pair are alleged to have taken two pruning saws and six spray guns worth £165 from Whiteley’s Garden Centre in Mirfield.

Moore denies the charges and had been due before magistrates earlier this week.

The bench convicted her of the charges in her absence.

However on the day Moore had gone to the home of a friend of her mother’s.

She discovered the 65-year-old dead and called police.

Her solicitor John Batchelor said that she had been instructed to stay at the house as the death was suspicious.

He added that on the day his firm had applied for the case to be adjourned.

Mr Batchelor said: “She was unable to leave the house until police attended and the scene was secured.

“This was outlined and somewhat surprisingly they (the magistrates) continued with the trial and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

“She does the right thing by ringing the court to say ‘I’ve found my mum’s friend dead’ and that apparently isn’t a good excuse.

“I can’t think of a more clear explanation of why somebody couldn’t attend the court.

“She phones the court and the court ignores her.”

Magistrates agreed to that it was in the interests of justice to reopen Moore’s case.

She was told to comply with the Drugs Intervention Programme as part of her bail conditions.