A RAT stopped a court sentencing a man last week. Bedford Magistrates Court was unable to sentence an Arlesey man after he turned up with his pet rat in his pocket. Allan Rex Page, 39, of Coxs Way was due to be sentenced for possession of cannabis, travel

A RAT stopped a court sentencing a man last week.

Bedford Magistrates Court was unable to sentence an Arlesey man after he turned up with his pet rat in his pocket.

Allan Rex Page, 39, of Coxs Way was due to be sentenced for possession of cannabis, travelling on a railway without paying and begging on a train. Page told magistrates he was sorry, and explained his six-month old albino rat Rizla went everywhere with him.

He said: "I had cycled from Hitchin to Bedford that day and I didn't realise that I couldn't bring the animal with me. They said it was for hygiene reasons but I said it was my animal and he goes everywhere with me, even to the doctors. It did annoy me because I didn't think it would be a problem."

Defending Page, Martin Bellis said: "He now knows that he cannot take his pet rat into the office with him."

Page must now attend a hearing on November 19 and will be sentenced on December 2.

Magistrates added: "No rat this time please.