A MAJOR backlog in the courts system means a Colchester man who has denied one charge of assault will not stand trial for more than a year.

Jevgenij Artemjey, of Sinnington End, Colchester, is accused of assaulting Adrian Jan Marszalek in Manningtree in April last year.

On Wednesday, Artemjey, 62, appeared before a crown court judge in Chelmsford to deny a single charge of actual bodily harm.

He was speaking through a Lithuanian interpreter.

However, a major backlog of cases in the British justice system has meant the trial is not expected to begin until April 7, 2025 – even though the trial is only expected to last a few days.

Judge Alexander Mills told Artemjey he must attend all future hearings in preparation for the trial.

He said: “You’ve pleaded not guilty and your trial will be on what’s called the warned list for April 7 of next year.

“In the meantime you will remain on your conditional bail and it is very important you keep in touch with your legal team.

“You are on bail, but if you do not come to court for future hearings or your trial, then that could be dealt with as a separate matter – and you don’t want that.”