THE trial of a man who is accused of raping a woman in Newton Abbot has been delayed because he is too ill to attend court.

Stuart Hodgkin, aged 41, was due to appear at Exeter Crown Court at the end of January accused of raping a woman when he was living rough in Newton Abbot in September 2015.

Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, took the case out of the list and extended custody time limits until March 31 after being told that Hodgkin is being treated for bowel cancer in the hospital wing at Exeter Prison.

Hodgkin, who was living in a tent at Newton Abbot racecourse at the time of the alleged rape, was remanded in custody.

The Judge said a decision on the future conduct of the case will have to be made at the next hearing on March 31.