No defendant but trial continues (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

No defendant but trial continues

THE trial of an acupuncturist accused of indecently assaulting one of his patients has carried on in his absence.

Hong Tao Yu, 47, failed to turn up at Swindon crown court after the first day of his trial, which started last week.

But Judge John McNaught ruled the hearing should continue and the jury is now considering its verdict.

Yu is said to have carried out the sex attack on one of his patients at the Herbs and Health Chinese Health Centre in the Brunel Centre.

A 46-year-old woman told the court how she was receiving a massage following an acupuncture session for psoriasis when Yu allegedly indecently assaulted her in May last year.

She said he first tried to kiss her but then as he massaged her he lowered her knickers and touched her. The mum sobbed as she told the jury how she was frozen by fear.

Because Yu was not present in court his barrister, Jeremy Hannah, was not able to cross-examine the alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Yu, of Braintree, Essex, denies a sex charge. The jury of seven women and five men have yet to reach a verdict after three and a half hours. They will continue today.