A man who allegedly locked a woman in a closet for about four days wants to withdraw his no contest pleas in relation to the criminal case.

Timothy Schrader, 35, had pleaded no contest to first-degree false imprisonment, terroristic threats, attempted use of a weapon to commit a felony and attempted second-degree sexual assault. Lancaster County District Court Judge John Colborn found him guilty on all counts in March.

But on Wednesday at what was scheduled to be Schrader’s sentencing hearing, his attorney, Chad Wythers, asked Colborn to allow him to file a motion to withdraw the pleas.

Despite Deputy County Attorney Dan Packard’s argument otherwise, Colborn allowed the request. Wythers has until Friday to file the motion.

Packard said the alleged victim, a woman who was 44 at the time of Schrader’s arrest, has an interest in seeing the case come to an end. Packard said Schrader also could have requested his pleas be withdrawn on April 28, his original sentencing date.

Schrader is next scheduled to appear in court May 20. He was arrested Jan. 4, 2007, at 1215 Peach St., No. 4. Police were tipped off to suspicious behavior at the apartment, and they kicked open the door to find the woman with cuts, bruises, abrasions, bite marks and burns.

When Schrader was charged with the crimes, police said the victim hadn't been allowed to eat, drink or go to the bathroom while being held in his apartment.

He pleaded no contest to the four counts on March 19. A fifth count, second-degree domestic assault, was dropped as part of the plea deal.

Reach Cory Matteson at 473-2655 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.