Former Collie Veterinary Services practice manager Nicholas Paley Edis on bail after trial was adjourned

A South West man who allegedly sexually assaulted an underage girl will have to wait until next year to learn his fate after his jury was discharged on the first day of trial.

Nicholas Paley Edis appeared in Bunbury District court last week for the first day of his trial after he pleaded not guilty to six counts of sexually penetrating a child over 13 and under 16, and one count of sexually penetrating a child over 16 under their authority.

Between 2014 and 2016, police allege the 33-year-old — who worked as a practice manager for Collie Veterinary Services — sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl who worked under his care at the practice.

However, the first day of the trial saw the jury discharged after their lunchtime break following a legal argument between counsel.

Defence lawyer James Jackson raised concerns during evidence of undisclosed evidence presented in court.

Judge Andrew Stavrianou discharged the 12-person jury and adjourned the trial “in the interest of justice”.

Mr Edis will have his trial revisited early next year before a new jury.