Sexual Assault Suspect Refuses to Speak in Court, Trial Set for 2026
Benedict Azam, 34, of no fixed address, appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (Monday, October 6) charged with three counts of sexual assault. The charges follow three separate incidents reported in Oakham in August.
The first incident occurred on Sunday evening (August 17) at approximately 8:30 pm on Burley Road, Oakham, where a woman reported a man had approached her and touched her inappropriately.
The following day, Monday, August 18, two more reports quickly followed. At 12:00 pm, a woman reported a similar inappropriate touching incident at Rutland County Council's HQ in Oakham. Just ten minutes later, at 12:10 pm, a third woman reported being approached and touched inappropriately in High Street, Oakham.
Mr. Azam appeared in the dock for a brief hearing before Judge Spencer KC. When asked by the Judge to confirm his name and whether he had a solicitor, Mr. Azam repeatedly offered a firm "No Response," refusing to cooperate with the court's questions.
In response to Mr. Azam's silence, Judge Spencer KC decided to enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf. The Judge instructed that a court-appointed solicitor would represent Mr. Azam and directed the defendant to present the court with necessary papers before the trial date.
Notably, whilst the Judge was speaking, Benedict Azam seemed to be happy and amused.
Judge Spencer KC set the trial date for February 16, 2026, which is expected to last 3 to 4 days.
The Judge gave specific instructions regarding witness protection: screens would be used during the trial to shield the witnesses, and crucially, Benedict Azam would not be permitted to question the witnesses himself.
Following the hearing, Mr. Azam was remanded back to prison.
This article is based solely on court proceedings and does not imply guilt.
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