LITCHFIELD — A sexual assault suspect who has apparently skipped out on court and ignored his attorney may find himself back in police custody soon.

Litchfield Superior Court Judge James P. Ginocchio ordered on Friday a re-arrest of Muhammed Atif Bhatti, a 38-year-old New Milford resident charged with sexually assaulting an au pair. Attorney James Diamond, Bhatti’s legal counsel, said he has been trying to get in touch with his client for the past two months but has had no success.

Bhatti, who is facing charges of first- and third-degree sexual assault, has not returned numerous phone calls or e-mails to Diamond and the last time the two spoke was the week of Nov. 10, 2009, Diamond said on Friday.

Bhatti has been at liberty since posting a $75,000 bond last year. New Milford police arrested him for allegedly duping his 20-year-old Slovakian au pair into taking off her clothes for an “inspection” before a family swim at a New Milford pool on Nov. 5, 2008.

The au pair told police two weeks later Bhatti told her two tests were needed for herpes before they could return to the pool and forcefully administered the “tests” in her bedroom, using Vagisil and a Q-tip, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Originally, Bhatti planned on taking his case to trial, and proceedings were in line for that to commence in January.

The case was due for a pre-trial on Jan. 7, however Judge James P. Ginocchio acknowledged it was continued because of another judicial matter at the Litchfield court. Diamond also said he could not make the court date, although he did file an appearance on his behalf.

But Bhatti, who is required to appear when he is given a court date, did not show up on Jan. 7, according to the court clerk. Bhatti also wasn’t in the court room on Friday which is when the pre-trial discussion was expected to begin.

Diamond told the court he is no longer going to defend Bhatti anyway. Diamond said he had disagreements with Bhatti on the strategies of his client’s case, and his client also objected to his advice.

So Diamond said he filed a motion to withdrawal as Bhatti’s attorney, and he sent a letter to Bhatti’s last known address to tell him he’s not going to be his attorney anymore. But the letter sent to 40 Carmen Hill, Apt. 1, in New Milford — Bhatti’s last known address — came back “undeliverable,” Diamond told the court. “I know the bondsman has been looking for him,” Diamond said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Dawn Gallo requested a re-arrest of the accused, setting his bond at $250,000. Gallo said police are in possession with at least one of his passports: which allows him to travel from the United States to Germany.

It is not clear, however, whether he has other passports. Bhatti is of Pakistani origin, so he may have passports to that country other countries which he does business in for a company in Ridgefield, Gallo said.

“Mr. Bhatti is apparently not living in the state,” she said. “His employment status has changed, the bondsman is looking for him, and he has numerous ties outside the country.”

Judge Ginocchio agreed with Gallo and the re-arrest was ordered. Conditions of Bhatti’s release remain, and he is ordered to stay out of Slovakia where the alleged victim returned.

Ronald DeRosa can be reached by e-mail at rderosa@registercitizen.com.