Jury dismissed in Ipswich rape case for ‘technical reasons’

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

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

The 51-year-old, who runs Scarz&Barz in Eagle Street, denies crimes allegedly involving nine women between 2012 and 2020.

Judge Martyn Levett told Ipswich Crown Court that the case would be heard again for February 28, saying: “I regret to say that I have to discharge the jury.”