Imperial Hotel owner Michael Ian Foxman's influencing witness hearing delayed in Tamworth court amid COVID-19 lockdown

Michael Ian Foxman, 51, did not appear in Tamworth Local Court on Thursday when magistrate Peter Thompson was forced to delay the hearing as the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold.

The matter has already been part-heard across two days in May, before it was adjourned to early September for the final witnesses to be called.

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"Unfortunately the hearing ... could not go ahead on that day," Mr Thompson said, after the state government announced the coronavirus lockdown in regional NSW had been extended for at least two weeks.

Mr Thompson listed the hearing for early December when the COVID-19 situation might allow witnesses to attend the court in person again to give evidence.

"Yes Your Honour, I can make that work," Sydney-based defence lawyer Michael Ayache said via video link.

Mr Ayache confirmed he was still representing Foxman, who is bailed to live in Sydney, after the court heard on the last occasion that there had been "issues" between them.

The hearing relates to allegations levelled against Foxman including two counts of intending to pervert the course of justice; and two counts of acting with intent to influence witnesses.

The charges came after police claim a graphic sex show was held at the Imperial Hotel in 2019.

Mr Thompson said correspondence showed there had been a delay in footage from the alleged sex show being sent to the defence team, but the court heard it had now been resolved and was in the mail.

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