The trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting and beating a woman was delayed because the only keyholder to a safe containing evidence was abroad.

Tony Doherty denies sexual assault and assault by beating in May last year and his trial was due to begin at Oxford Crown Court on Monday.

But Judge Kristina Montgomery said yesterday that she had to adjourn the case until next month because the keyholder of a safe containing documents the police needed to review was out of the country.

She added: “For want of a key the case will have to come out of the list for Monday.”

Doherty, 27, of Bartlett Close, Witney, was remanded in custody to appear at the same court for trial on Monday, September 7.