A former printer who put off doing jury service for two years with a series of excuses found himself in the dock.

Brian Atkins was summoned to sit on trials at Canterbury Crown Court in July and September 2015 and in February and August last year.

But after deferring his two-week stint each time, he then failed to show up in March this year and was later arrested on a warrant.

Now Atkins, of Cheriton Gardens, Folkestone, has admitted contempt of court.

Defence barrister Eloise Marshall told Judge Heather Norton that he was now a full-time carer for his sick wife, and he had been battling alcoholism and depression.

She said: “Avoiding coming for his jury service was not something he deliberately set out to do, but he can’t remember now why he didn’t answer the summons in 2015. He thinks he may have been unwell or his wife was.”

The judge told him: “When you were summoned in 2015, it was the intention that you would be sitting in the jury box trying people who would be sitting in the dock where you are today!”

She added that judges recognised the difficult work that jurors did, which involves disrupting their work and home lives.

“But it’s required not for judges but for all of society," she continued.

“Unless we have jurors we cannot have trials and unless we have trials we cannot ensure that those who are guilty are found guilty and the innocent can walk away with their heads held high.”

She said he had caused “immense” but avoidable trouble to court staff.

The judge fined him £250 and told him he had to pay it within six months or go to prison for two weeks.

She added: “I am deeply sceptical that there were any legitimate reasons and that this was not a calculated attempt to avoid jury duty. I am not stupid and I am 99 per cent certain that is the case. If I were 100 per cent you would be going to prison.”

As Atkins left the dock, the judge reminded him that he was still eligible to be called for jury service in the future.