In the event any person charged with any offense against the ordinances of the town shall be summoned to appear, if he or she has not already been arrested and given bail and answered to said charges, at a day therein fixed, not later than five days after the date of said summons, and such person so summoned neglects, refuses or fails to appear at the time specified, the Municipal Court shall proceed with the trial of said case, as though the defendant were present.