A judge has described as “barking mad” human rights laws under which a convicted heroin dealer stayed in his cell rather than attend court.

Amir Ali had been due at Lewes Crown Court yesterday for a hearing to strip him of cash made through dealing in Class A drugs, for which he is serving three years and nine months in prison. Julian Woodbridge, for Ali, told the court: “Mr Ali refused to leave his cell this morning because he is comfortable there and doesn’t want to lose it. There is a shortage of comfortable prison cells in this country so he was obviously keen to hold on to his.”

Judge Richard Hayward responded: “I didn’t know prisoners could choose whether to come to court. Now I hear this prisoner is refusing to leave his cell, and no one’s doing anything about it. Once again, it’s down to barking-mad human rights rules.” Adjourning the hearing to a later date, he said: “If he does not turn up then, we will go ahead without him.”

The Prison Service disputed the lawyer’s account, saying Ali and the prison had been told by his solicitor that he did not need to attend.

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