The trial of a man accused of drugging and sexually assaulting two men could not go-ahead after a juror called-in sick.

Luiz da Silva Neto, 35, is currently on trial at Oxford Crown Court accused of administering ‘date rape’ drug GHB or GBL to two men and sexually assaulting them at a cottage in Middle Barton, west Oxfordshire.

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Addressing the jury on Monday morning, Judge Michael Gledhill QC said: “It will be apparent that one of your number is not here.

“That juror has been in touch with the court earlier this morning and has I think what could best be described as a 24-hour-type bug, which has left her unable, really, to leave the house.

“She was asked ‘would you expect to be fit enough to come to court tomorrow?’ to which her answer was confidently ‘yes, I would’ and so in those circumstances, in a case as serious as this, I think the only thing to do is to allow the juror to recover and we will start again tomorrow morning.”

Da Silva Neto, of Riverlight Quay, Wandsworth, denies administering a substance with intent and engaging in penetrative sexual activity without consent with two men. He is accused of the rape and kidnap of a second man, against whom the defendant is accused of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence. The trial continues

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward