Trial delayed until 2029 in alleged sexual assault case

Summarised from News Shopper's report · Updated 5 Nov, 19:10 · Archive

A man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl will not face trial until May 2029, four-and-a-half years after the alleged incident.

Manoj Thalgaswatta, 61, is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl at a shop on Lincoln Road, Erith, on 10 December 2024. He was charged two days later, pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. His trial was originally due to take place at Woolwich Crown Court last week but was abandoned when his defence barrister became ill and a replacement could not be found.

The trial has now been rescheduled for May 2029, meaning the case will not be heard until four-and-a-half years after the alleged assault. The girl will be 19 by the time the trial begins. A relative of the alleged victim told News Shopper the delays have 'taken a terrible toll' on the family and called for the justice system to move more quickly.

Woolwich Crown Court is dealing with a significant backlog. Figures published earlier this year showed 2,172 active cases waiting to be dealt with at the court at the end of March 2026, the fifth-largest Crown Court backlog in England and Wales. The backlog has almost doubled in two years, from 1,237 outstanding cases in March 2024.

Read the report

• Child, 14, allegedly sexually assaulted in Erith shop will be adult by time of trialA girl who was 14 when she was allegedly sexually assaulted will be 19 by the time the accused man is due to stand trial.News Shopper · 5 Nov, 17:30

In this story: Manoj Thalgaswatta · Woolwich Crown Court · Erith · Lincoln Road

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log