Juror 'contacted defendant on Facebook'

Source: Press Association

 

Contempt proceedings will take place this week against a juror who allegedly contacted a defendant through Facebook during a multi million-pound drugs trial, causing it to collapse, it emerged on Sunday night.

 

Attorney General Dominic Grieve will open the proceedings on Tuesday in the High Court in London, his office confirmed.

 

Monday's edition of The Times said the case was against Joanne Fraill and an acquitted defendant, Jamie Sewart.

 

The case, to be heard by Lord Judge, the Lord Chief Justice, coincides with an appeal by another defendant in the trial who is challenging his conviction because of the alleged conversation, the newspaper reported.

 

The aborted trial involving Ms Fraill, 40, of Blackley, Manchester, and Ms Sewart, 34, of Bolton, took place in Manchester last year and involved multiple charges and defendants.

 

It was one of a series of four trials estimated to have cost £6 million and had run for 10 weeks.

 

One of the defendants, convicted drug dealer Gary Knox, is appealing against his conviction on the basis of alleged jury misconduct, with the appeal also to be heard by Lord Judge, the newspaper said.