A SEXUAL assault trial has been delayed due to a lack of barristers.

Defendant Dylan Polley was due to stand trial at Reading Crown Court today (March 27) charged with one count of sexual assault.

However, the 31-year-old’s case has been delayed due to lack of prosecutors.

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The court heard the prosecutor originally due to take on the trial, James Murray-Smith, is currently on day 11 of a trial in Croydon which was due to only take five days.

About 100 chambers were emailed in attempts to find a replacement.

Barrister Mike Hollis said: “It’s a weekly occurrence where trials are going uncovered. There are simply not enough prosecution counsel to do the number of cases going through the system.”