A state judge in Manhattan ruled on Thursday the criminal case against Harvey Weinstein could go forward, rejecting the Hollywood producer’s arguments that errors by the police and prosecutors had tainted the grand jury and the indictment should be thrown out.

The last time Weinstein appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court the same judge dismissed part of the indictment against him after it was revealed that a police detective on the case had withheld crucial evidence from prosecutors. Since then, the criminal case against Weinstein continued to fray.

His defence team released evidence — including a series of emails — in an attempt to undermine the allegations of the remaining accusers. An unidentified friend of one of the accusers challenged the woman’s account.

The defence also has raised questions about the Manhattan district attorney’s office, and the extent of police misconduct in the case.

Weinstein’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, filed a new motion last month asking Justice James Burke to dismiss the case because prosecutors did not share “highly exculpatory evidence”.

But just moments after Weinstein entered the courtroom on Thursday morning, Justice Burke announced that he would not dismiss the indictment against the once powerful producer.

More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual assault or harassment. Weinstein was initially indicted on charges that attacked three women, including one who said the producer raped her in 2013 at a Midtown Manhattan hotel. The woman has not been identified in court papers. He was also charged with forcing two other women to engage in oral sex with him.