Rape trial jury discharged for 'technical reasons'

Paul Saunders had been standing trial at Ipswich Crown Court having been charged with three counts of rape and seven counts of sexual assault

A jury in what was expected to be a two-month rape trial involving a body piercer has been discharged by a judge for “technical reasons”.

Paul Saunders, from Ipswich, has been standing trial since 14 October charged with three counts of rape and seven counts of sexual assault.

The 51-year-old, who runs Scarz&Barz on Eagle Street, denies the offences which allegedly involved nine women between 2012 and 2020.

Judge Martyn Levett told Ipswich Crown Court the case would be relisted for 28 February and said: "I regret to say I must discharge the jury."

Paul Saunders owns the Scarz&Barz piercing studio on Eagle Street, Ipswich

The trial was scheduled to last until mid-December.

For legal reasons the BBC cannot report why the jury has been discharged but Judge Levett acknowledged the trial's progress had been “very slow indeed”.

"The case has not run as smoothly as it otherwise should have or I might expect," he said.

"There has to be a fair trial for everyone and there has to be a fair trial for Mr Saunders."

He said the the case was being relisted so that he could be "brought up to speed".

Mr Saunders was released on unconditional bail until his next court appearance.