A COMPANY boss has been fined after sending a worker abroad instead of releasing him for jury service.

Tim Payne, managing director of ACSL, an aircraft control equipment manufacturer, of Queens Road, High Wycombe, absolved his employee of all blame at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday.

The employee was meant to have attended at the court last month but when he failed to do so he was ordered to appear with his employer to show cause why they should not be penalised.

Mr Payne told the court he was responsible for the non-attendance of the employee and instead sent him to Italy to help on a vital contract after telling him he would sort out the jury matter.

Mr Payne apologised for his 'somewhat naive and arrogant behaviour'.

He said: "He trusted me when I told him I could resolve it, but I failed to."

Judge Christopher Tyrer said: "Jury service is one of the highest forms of civic responsibility. Mr Payne has explained effectively he took a decision through circumstances that were business orientated [his employee] should go to Italy and the court would have to do without him. That was irresponsible."

Mr Payne was fined £100.