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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Tristan Kirk

Ex-postman set for 2027 trial over Hampstead cinema 'attempted rape'

Cyrille Moreau leaving Wood Green Crown Court - (ES)

A retired postman accused of attempting to rape a woman at a Hampstead cinema is set to stand trial in 2027.

Cyrille Moreau, 67, is accused of attempting to have sex without consent with a woman in her 30s at the Vue cinema on Finchley Road.

At Wood Green crown court on Thursday, Moreau appeared in the dock to learn that his trial is being set for February 15, 2027.

The case was originally going to be delayed even further, to July 2027, but Judge Emma Deacon KC negotiated an earlier trial slot with the court administration due to the nature of the charge.

Moreau was charged last month over an alleged incident inside a cinema screening room at around 3.45pm on June 11.

The defendant, of Ainger Road in Primrose Hill, north London, was initially remanded in custody by Highbury Corner magistrates court, before being released on bail.

He was aided by a French interpreter at court, but the judge was told he speaks good English and has lived in the UK since 1982.

Moreau worked as a postman for around 20 years before recently retiring, the court heard.

He appeared in the dock wearing dark blue trousers, a light blue shirt, and a patterned blue neck scarf, and holding a floral shopping bag, speaking to confirm his name and telling the clerk it is pronounced “like tomorrow”.

Moreau did not enter a plea to the charge of attempted rape, as Judge Deacon agreed to an adjournment until the next hearing on September 3.

However his barrister, Sam Parham, told the court Moreau denies the allegation of attempted rape.

According to the charge, it is alleged Moreau “intentionally attempted to penetrate the vagina of a woman with your penis, when she did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that she was consenting”.

The defendant was set free by the judge on bail, with conditions that he stays away from cinemas and international travel hubs and does not try to contact the alleged victim.

Moreau has already surrendered his passport, and he is currently living with an electronic tag and a night-time curfew.

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