A cheeky woman who failed to turn up a court sent a postcard from Benidorm instead - saying she would much rather have sex on the beach.

Victoria Ford was due to appear at Teesside Crown Court yesterday today to stand trial on charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault on a police officer.

Instead the 25-year-old sent the postcard from the Spanish resort which was handed to Judge Peter Fox QC. He promptly issued a bench warrant for her arrest.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe told the court: "The defendant and her boyfriend have thoughtfully sent a postcard to the police informing them they are in Benidorm and intend staying there until their money runs out."

He passed the postcard, showing a picture of palm trees fringing a sunny beach, to the judge, telling the court the message began: "Hi there, Ronnie Biggs here."

Mr Newcombe said: "The mention of sex on the beach is, I understand, a reference to a popular song.

"And the message finished, Adios Amigos. See you when we get back to England."

Mr Newcombe told the court the card had been the response to an earlier phone call made by Miss Ford's boyfriend to police last week.

He said: "He told police they were in Spain. The officer did not believe him and asked for proof. The postcard with a Benidorm postmark is the result."

Ford's barrister Tim Roberts said he had no reason to oppose the crown's application for a warrant for Miss Ford, of Tarring Street, Stockton.