failed to show up for a trial.

Magistrate the Wor. Cheryl Ann Mapp made the order because only the girl's step-father was present in court. The 39-year-old Warwick man denied charges of assault causing bodily harm.

He said the complainant, his step-daughter, who was only 15 at the time of the alleged offence, had already dropped the charges. However Mrs. Mapp said she wanted to know why neither the complainant nor her mother had not come to court even though they had been summoned.

"This is a very serious charge,'' Mrs. Mapp said. "I need to have the investigating officer and the guardian of this child to explain why they are not here. If the charges in fact have been dropped, I will be advised by the officer.'' The case was set the matter down for mention on November 20.