The former pastor who pleaded guilty earlier this year to assaulting multiple children wants to withdraw his guilty, his lawyer said in court.

Harry Thomas, 75, of Medford, was facing a 20-year prison term without parole for the sexual assault of four minors, as well as inappropriate interactions with a fifth child, under a plea agreement with Burlington County prosecutors made in February.

Thomas' attorney, Robin Lord, said the guilty plea was a "death sentence," according to The Courier Post.

Harry L. Thomas, a former pastor at Come Alive Church in Medford

Lord did not immediately respond to a request for further comment about the plea change.

He was scheduled to be sentenced this past Friday, but following his decision to withdraw the plea, Thomas is now scheduled to appear in court this coming Friday, the paper reported.

Superior Court Judge Jeanne Covert apologized to the victims and their families, some of whom were present that day, prepared to read victims impact statements.

Thomas formerly served as pastor of Come Alive Church in Medford and founded the Creation Festival, billed as the nation's largest Christian music festival. He was suspended from both of his positions after being charged.

Thomas was first charged in December 2017 for aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

The assaults took place in Medford over a period of 16 years, between 1995 and 2015, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said.

He is being held in the Burlington County jail.

Gianluca D'Elia may be reached at gdelia@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @gianluca_delia. Find NJ.com on Facebook.