A COURT has this afternoon (Wednesday) heard that a Hereford man wants to change his plea after previously admitting to a rape in a city park.
Joao Coutinho was due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for a rape that allegedly happened in a toilet block in Castle Green on April 17.
At a plea and case management hearing at Worcester Crown Court on May 15, the 50-year-old, of Widemarsh Common, Hereford, pleaded guilty to rape, engaging in sexual activity with a child, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
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However, Birmingham Crown Court heard that Coutinho did not have an interpreter at that hearing, and has indicated he wants to change his plea.
His Honour Judge Nicholas Cartwright told him that he now has 28 days to provide a statement detailing what led to him to plead guilty.
A witness will then have 21 days to respond to the statement.
Coutinho was remanded in custody to appear before a crown court on August 11, when his application will be heard.
However, the judge warned Coutinho that, if his application fails, he should be expected to be sentenced.
Should his plea be not guilty when formally heard, a trial will take place from January 2, lasting four days.
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