POLICE have launched the second phase of an operation to crack down on offenders who do not bother to turn up to court.

Operation Hatay saw 52 arrests made in Warrington and Halton.

Police targeted alleged criminals who had ignored court summons, or did not attend when on bail, between September 15 and September 21.

Warrants were also carried out for a range of other offences, from domestic violence to drug dealing.

Jason Earl Millman, aged 43, of Runnymede, Woolston, appeared at Halton Magistrates Court on Friday after being arrested for failing to attend an earlier court hearing.

Millman was due at the same court after allegedly taking a wallet from leisure facilities at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub, and using a bank card to withdraw cash, on March 30.

He pleaded not guilty to three counts of theft and faces trial at Halton Magistrates Court on December 23.

Gary Philip Campbell, aged 34, of Hodgkinson Avenue, Bewsey, was arrested following a drugs warrant.

He has been charged with possession of a class B drug with intent to supply, and is due to appear at Halton Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 1.

A 48-year-old man from Warrington was also arrested following a domestic assault on September 17, and has been bailed.