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A WARRANT was issued today for the arrest of con man Nicholas Price - who cheated his business partner and the wealthy Bamford JCB family - after he failed to appear at Gloucester crown court for sentence.

Price, 49, of Leysbourne, Chipping Campden, had sent in a note from his doctor to excuse his absence.

But after reading it Judge Martin Picton said "I am unimpressed' He said the GP's note did not clearly say that Price is unfit to attend court.

"I think Price is taking deliberate steps to avoid these proceedings, notwithstanding what the doctor says," ruled Judge Picton.

He ordered Price to be arrested and held in custodly till he can be brought before the court.

The GP, in his note, said Price 'remains depressed with marked anxiety causing poor concentration and slow speech.' The note went on "He continues to be followed up by the psychiatric team. He is unable to represent himself at normal capacity in a court situation."

Said the judge "It is not the clearest expression of unfitness to attend court that I have ever read. It doesn't give me any assistance whatsoever."

Price had been due before the court on Tuesday but failed to attend and his barrister said he was unwell and had been in hospital last weekend.

The judge then adjourned until today and said Price either had to attend or send in a medical certifcate verifying he was unfit or a warrant would be issued.

Price has admitted two sets of crimes - cheating the Bamford family of Daylesford, nr Moreton in Marsh, out of £33,000 by falsely charging them for internet and email services, and cheating his former business partner Jennie Rainsford.

Prosecutor Nick O'Brien described Price at the last hearing as 'a highly manipulative individual who is not to be believed".

The court has heard that Price dishonestly continued to bill the JCB company for his services to the digger family's Daylesford estate after they had ended thyeir contract with him.

He had run the website and emails for the Daylesford Organics farm shop - known as the 'Harvey Nicks of the Cotswolds - and for Lady Carole Bamford and the Bamford family's luxury yacht. He also provided similar services for the skipper of the Bamford yacht, Rick Boutillier.

In June last year Price pleaded guilty to five charges of obtaining money transfers by deception.

Each charge related to his company Captiva Media Ltd obtaining £6,538 from JCB. The five charges totalled £32,694 and covered monthly periods from 1st November 2005.

Judge Picton indicated at an earlier hearing in June last year that he would not pass an immediate prison term if Price paid back the money to the losers within six months.

But the court heard last December that Price had paid nothing and was blaming his failure on the disruption to his business caused by last summer's floods.

The judge then gave Price extra time - but learnt this week that Price has still not paid back any money and is now said to have assets of only £18,250 following a divorce settlement.

As well as the Bamford deceptions, Price is also awaiting sentence for forging ex-colleague Jennie's Rainsford's signature in order to cheat her out of her share in a business they once ran together.

He has also been convicted of harassment after he sent threatening emails to Ms Rainsford, 42, when she set up rival company Media Eden.

3:40pm Friday 9th May 2008

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