While a number of police officers and civilians waited outside the courtroom to be called in to testify, the trial of a man charged with counterfeit money offences was cancelled Tuesday after he didn’t show up.
Dwayne Robert Hiscock had been scheduled to go to trial over three days on charges that include three counts each of possessing and using counterfeit money, theft under $5,000 and multiple court order breaches. Hiscock is also facing multiple charges of failing to show up for court.
Lawyers asked for a 10-minute postponement on the chance Squires was running late, but when he didn’t show up, prosecutor Alana Dwyer asked the judge to issue a warrant for Hiscock’s arrest.
Dwyer told provincial court Judge Lois Skanes her main concern with the situation was the witnesses waiting to testify; a number of the civilians had arranged to take time off from their work at Tim Hortons — where Hiscock is reported to have used counterfiet cash — to be in court, she said.
Defence lawyer Adam Foote asked the judge to hold off issuing a warrant until Wenesday morning, to give him time to try and locate his client.
However, Foote said he hadn’t seen Hiscock in a month. Hiscock was aware of his trial date but didn’t show up Monday for an appointment to prepare for court and hasn’t answered or returned any phone calls.
Skanes decided not to issue a warrant and to call the case again Wednesday morning.
“If he is found, I want him to come tomorrow morning and then we’ll start with the witnesses tomorrow afternoon,” Skanes said.
