A man charged over sex videos taken in Concert Square said he couldn't afford to come to court before a judge issued a warrant for his arrest.
Joe Firby was due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court this afternoon in relation to a charge of outraging public decency from August 2 this year. The 23-year-old was charged after videos taken in Liverpool city centre showed a man and a woman performing sex acts in front of members of the public.
The footage was then posted online and shared thousands of times before Merseyside Police launched an investigation.
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Firby was due to appear in court on Tuesday but staff later informed District Judge Paul Healey that he sent an email to the court in which he stated that he had lost his job and did not have the money to hire a solicitor or travel from the North East to Liverpool. He then requested he be allowed to appear over video link.
Andrew Page, prosecuting, requested a warrant be issued for Firby’s arrest, saying he had ample time to organise his legal representation and travel to Liverpool since he was charged six weeks ago.
District Judge Healey said: “He was charged back in August. His first contact with the court was this morning saying he did not have the funds to attend but I do take the point that he has had ample time and take the view that his explanation is not sufficient. Therefore I am convinced to issue a warrant not backed for bail.”
District Judge Healey’s order means Firby can now be arrested and brought to court. Cousins, Firby’s co-accused, did attend court and pleaded guilty to outraging public decency. She will be sentenced next month.
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