Snapper no show in Kidman case

In this undated publicity photo released by Picturehouse, actress Nicole Kidman portrays photographer Diane Arbus in this scene from the biopic 'Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus.' (AP Photo/Picturehouse)

A celebrity photographer accused of planting a listening device outside Nicole Kidman's Sydney mansion failed to appear at a scheduled court hearing today.

Jamie Fawcett was due to front Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court today on two charges of possessing a listening device.
Security staff found a device covered in plastic wrap and submerged in water and foliage across the road from Kidman's mansion in the harbourside suburb of Darling Point in January last year.

Police allege the paparazzo knowingly used the device made up of a piece of black wire, a nine volt battery, a small electronic circuit board and a microphone to record a private conversation.

Prosecutor Sharon Harris today applied for the matter to be adjourned after Fawcett and his lawyer Roland Day failed to show in court.

Ms Harris told Registrar Paul Morgan that Mr Day appeared to be unaware of today's proceedings.

"I have contacted Mr Day's office," Ms Harris told the court. "(They) did not seem to be aware of this matter."

Mr Morgan ordered the brief be served and both parties return to the same court on January 11, 2007.

Ms Harris foreshadowed there would likely be a plea entered on that date.