A DRUG addict who went missing when he was due to face sentence for causing trouble on an aeroplane has finally turned up -- two years on.

John Handley, 52, had threatened a steward who had challenged him about smoking on the flight from Goa, India, and police were waiting for him on his arrival at Gatwick airport.

Handley was arrested on a warrant and taken into custody in Manchester on Tuesday, brought to Burnley Magistrates Court yesterday, but did not appear before the bench.

His solicitor asked for the defendant be dealt with in his absence as he was "extremely unwell" in the cells and the magistrates gave their permission for the hearing to go on without him.

The court was told Handley's case had been adjourned for a pre-sentence report in August 2000, but a warrant was issued after he did not show up to hear his fate.

Christiana Buchanan, prosecuting, said the defendant had been "at large" for two years over very serious offences.

People who behaved in the way he had on aeroplanes had recently been sent to jail for substantial periods. She went on: "The defendant is aware of the risk he runs. Perhaps that is why he has made himself absent for two years."

Bridgette Hibbert, defending, urged the court to adjourn the case for further pre-sentence reports as the ones prepared earlier would now be out of date.

She said during the two years, although a drug addict, Handley had not committed any further offences.

Miss Hibbert, who did not apply for bail, said Handley was "extremely unwell". He was withdrawing from drugs and wanted to see a doctor. The custody officers felt the sooner they could get him to Preston Prison, the sooner he could see a medic.

Handley, formerly of Gisburn Road, Barrowford, had admitted smoking on an aircraft and threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

The cases had been remitted to Burnley from Crawley Magistrates' Court. He was remanded in custody until October 16.