Court witness put up in Truro hotel 'derailed' trial and racked up unpaid bar bill

Truro Crown Court
-Credit: (Image: Google Maps)


A witness who "derailed" a trial by not showing up was instead racking up a huge bar bill and doing drugs in a Cornish hotel - during a stay arranged and paid for by the court. Craig Archer, 35, was the alleged victim in a criminal trial but failed to show up.

Archer, from Reading, and of no fixed abode, appeared at Truro Crown Court today (Friday, September 13) for contempt of court proceedings in relation to this. It heard how the original trial over alleged violent crimes against him in Cornwall was thrown out as a result of his failing to attend in April 2023.

Prosecuting, Heather Hope said a witness summons was issued a week before the trial for him to attend the court for the first day of it. Because Archer had relocated to Reading, arrangements were made for his train fare to be paid and he was put up in a posh hotel the night before the trial.

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He expressed reluctance to travel alone so it was also agreed his mother could travel with him at additional expense. He travelled to Cornwall as arranged and checked into the Alverton Hotel in Truro.

On the morning of the trial he failed to show up at the court. Ms Hope said a man everyone believed was Archer made it to the steps of the court building but then left.

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"He was asked by a police officer if he was Craig Archer and he said 'no'," she said. "In any event, Mr Archer did not attend the building." Knowing he was in Cornwall, efforts were then made to locate him.

It was found his things remained in the Alverton Hotel where he racked up an £80 unpaid bar bill. Staff also found signs of drug use in his room. Archer was eventually located having been at a pub in the area and was asked to attend court again the following day to which he agreed. He failed to show up a second time.

A witness warrant had to be executed and the trial was stood down. Last week Archer did eventually attend Reading Crown Court where he was directed to attend Truro Crown Court to answer for the contempt of court.

Ryan Murray, defending, said Archer wanted to apologise and that he accepts he should have attended the trial. Mr Murray said the defendant's reasons for not attending were his "overwhelming anxiety".

"I would suspect that, given the opportunity, Mr Archer would want to apologise to you and anyone else who has been affected by his actions."

Sentencing, His Honour Judge Robert Linford said Archer's actions were his own doing and that, as a result, somebody was acquitted from a criminal trial, "whether fair or unfair".

Addressing Archer, he said: "You made your way from one part of the country to this part of the country, you revelled yourselves at the facilities of a hotel, knocking up an enormous bill and leaving the place in some disarray.

"The consequence of your behaviour is that a criminal trial was derailed. This is a very serious matter indeed. It is not trivial at all." Archer was sentenced to two months, suspended for six months and will be required to pay a surcharge.

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