A jury in what was expected to be a two-month rape trial involving a puncher has been discharged by a judge on “technical grounds”.

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

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

Judge Martyn Levett told Ipswich Crown Court the case would be brought back to February 28 and said: “I’m sorry to say I have to discharge the jury.”