A 30-year-old man who failed to turn up for his trial was on Friday found guilty in his absence of robbery.

James Marsh was convicted by a jury which had retired for nearly and hour and a half to consider a verdict at Caernarfon crown court.

He’d allegedly made a “slice you up” threat before stealing £130 from the till at the Co-op at Ruthin. The jury heard he’d earlier left wine vaults in the town then returned to buy drinks with £20 and £10 notes. The defence claimed there could have been mistaken identity.

After their verdict the jury was told that there would be a warrant for the arrest of Marsh, previously of Freehold Street, Liverpool. Judge Timothy Petts said the starting point for an offence of robbery was jail. It was hoped he would at some point surrender to custody.