AN alleged sex offender was last month ordered to pay the State $150,000 or serve 18 months in prison for failing to show up for his court date in 1999.

The 46-year-old higgler, who is charged with carnal abuse and abduction, failed to attend court on October 2, 1999. He was recently captured by the police after a relative of the complainant pointed him out.

On December 20, he pleaded guilty to absconding bail before Resident Magistrate Georgianna Fraser. However, his attorney Ramona Nelson told the court that he had a valid excuse for his prolonged absence from the court.

Nelson said her client unwisely decided to stop attending court after he was threatened by relatives of the complainant. The threat, the attorney said, was carried out in the precincts of the court.

However, RM Fraser was not pleased with the lawyer's explanation, noting that the accused should have turned to the court for protection rather than choosing to stay away. She then told the lawyer that she would extend leniency to her client by only imposing a hefty fine.