Lewis Collins, a 24-year-old man from St Marys, Wantage, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, June 6. He faces multiple charges, including several counts of assault against a woman and breaching a non-molestation order. Collins has pleaded not guilty to all charges of assault and the breach of the non-molestation order, although he admitted to a charge of property damage.
The Charges Against Collins
During the court session, Collins was charged with two counts of assault by beating and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty to all assault charges. Additionally, Collins is accused of breaching a non-molestation order that was previously issued to protect the complainant from harassment or threatening behavior. According to allegations, Collins breached the order by making an obscene gesture toward the complainant, but he has denied this claim, pleading not guilty.
Admission of Guilt on Property Damage
While Collins denied the assault and breach charges, he admitted to causing damage to a keychain belonging to the woman involved in the case. This acknowledgment marks the lone charge to which Collins has entered a guilty plea so far.
Trial Postponed Due to Health Concerns
The trial, initially scheduled for January, was postponed due to health concerns related to Collins. A new provisional trial date has been set for July, although the timeline remains dependent on further updates regarding his health condition.
Looking Ahead
- The court will need to weigh Collins’ not guilty pleas against the presented evidence during the proceedings.
- His admission to the property damage charge could significantly influence the case’s overall trajectory.
- For now, the primary concern revolves around determining a final trial schedule based on Collins’ health updates.
As the case unfolds, it underscores the complexities of legal proceedings, especially when multiple charges are involved. The rescheduled trial in July will bring further clarity to the accusations and the defense presented by Collins.
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