THE conclusion of the trial of a man accused of robbing lone women at knife point and raping one of them has been delayed until Tuesday.

Donovan Smith, 43, a chef, of Hungerdown, Chingford, is standing trial for a series of robberies on women in Chingford, Walthamstow and parts of Hackney, March and May this year.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard this month that he has been positively identified by six witnesses in separate identity parades.

Smith is also accused of raping a 38-year-old woman in an alleyway behind a restaurant in Chingford.

The court heard how victims were forced to hand over their valuables after being threatened with a machete.

Smith would allegedly target women on buses, listening to MP3 players, and then follow them and engage them in brief conversation before robbing them.

He denies 23 charges against 11 victims, including a 45-year-old Polish nun.

Abbas Lakhar QC, defending, was due to give his closing speech today but will not do so until Tuesday after a juror fell ill.

Timothy Devlin, prosecuting, made his closing remarks yesterday.

Judge Peter Birts QC made the decision not to continue with only 11 jurors as the trial has been so short.

He apologised to the other jurors and to Smith for the delay.

Judge Birts is also expected to sum up the case on Tuesday and Smith will be remanded in custody until then.