THE sentencing of a child rapist has been delayed after he sacked his barristers on the day his victims were due to see justice.

Stephen Gallagher, 59, was on trial in May after he denied 15 offences relating to historic sexual abuse of young girls in Colchester.

Ipswich Crown Court heard on Thursday how Gallagher had sent a letter to his defence barrister on the day of his sentence which made it “improper” for him to be represented.

He faces a lengthy prison sentence after a jury convicted him on three charges of raping a child under 13, two charges of sexual assault of a child under 13, two charges of sexual assault of a child, two charges of indecent assault, and one charge of sexual assault.

He was cleared of two counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14, rape of a female under 13, and rape of a girl under 16.

No evidence was offered by the prosecution on a fifteenth charge of sexual assault on a female.

John Caudle, who was Gallagher’s defence barrister throughout the trial, told Judge Talbot-Hadley that Gallagher wanted to appeal the conviction based on “the manner in which I have conducted his defence.”

He said: “My solicitors received a letter from Gallagher this morning and some of the content means it would not be proper for me to continue to represent him, and he has confirmed he does not wish me to.

“Even if he did, it would be improper for us to remain.”

He continued: “The nature of the appeal relates to the manner in which I have conducted his defence – it would not be right for me to mitigate.”

When Judge Talbot-Hadley offered Gallagher the opportunity to represent himself, he said he still wanted a barrister.

He was granted 22 days to find a lawyer who could act as mitigation when he is sentenced Friday, November 29.

The judge said: “I have to stand by the convictions returned by the jury.

“If you are dissatisfied with the way the trial was run then that needs to be brought before the court of appeal.

“I have heard you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the trial and the way it was conducted – as far as I am concerned Mr Caudle put all the points forward he was required to.

“You can take it from me, things will go ahead on November 29.”