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A pensioner who refused to do jury service was fined £1,000 as part of a clampdown on people skipping their public duty.

Barry Grimes, 70, twice failed to attend Liverpool Crown Court , then tried to lie his way out of trouble with a string of excuses.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, ordered Grimes, of Cunningham Drive, Bromborough, Wirral, to give an explanation in person.

But he point-blank refused and was sentenced in his absence for a "deliberate contempt of court" by the Recorder of Liverpool.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Judge Menary said Grimes must stump up the fine and a £100 victim surcharge within 28 days - or face a fortnight in prison.

And he revealed that potential jurors are searching internet chat rooms for tips and "techniques" on how to avoid jury service.

Judge Menary said: "The message needs to go out.

"It's my understanding having heard a report from the jury summonsing officer that jurors across the country are simply ignoring summonses or refusing to attend when called without any reason or any legitimate reason.

"I understand there are in fact now web chat room sites in which excuses and techniques for avoiding jury service are openly discussed.

"People need to understand that if they fail to attend at all, or without good reason, the court will impose the maximum penalty and I do."

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When Grimes first failed to attend jury service on January 8 last year it was deferred, but he didn't show up again on July 15 this year.

The court's jury summonsing officer contacted Grimes later that same day, but he said he was refusing to come to court.

Judge Menary said: "He initially gave a range of reasons for failing to attend, firstly indicating that he couldn't sit for long periods of time.

"When told he would have to confirm that by a doctor's certificate, he then changed his reason to indicating he couldn't concentrate for long.

"Again he was told a doctor's note would be required to confirm that. At that point he indicated he was not in fact unfit but simply he was not going to attend.

"The information from the summonsing officer is that Mr Grimes displayed a wholly unpleasant and unnecessary attitude when speaking to the court officer.

"He next indicated he was going to go on holiday from July 15 to July 29.

"Given the circumstances in which that statement was made, I reject that as a true reason or a legitimate reason."

He said further "unsuccessful" attempts were made to contact Grimes, who was warned of the consequences.

Judge Menary said: "This particular juror knew full well he was required to attend on that date and he's quite deliberately refused to attend."

He added: "The explanations he's given in the past are plainly not true on the information I have at the moment."

Another man, Jack Kanteen, 24, of Serenade Road, Kirkby, attended court and explained that he "forgot" about his jury service and had actually wanted to do it.

He said he thought his stint on June 6 this year was in August, missed one letter and didn't receive voicemails left by the court because he changed his phone.

Judge Menary fined unemployed Kanteen £250, to be paid at the rate of £25 a month over the next 10 months, or he will face seven days in prison.

He said missing jury service was a serious problem, adding: "It causes enormous inconvenience, sometimes it affects the ability of the court to carry out its work because there aren't sufficient jurors and I have to deal with the matter."