18/06/2009

Trial Without Jury Gets The Green Light

The Court of Appeal has given a historic ruling today which will allow a criminal trial to be heard without a jury for the first time in England and Wales.

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, along with two other judges, gave the green light because of a "very significant" danger of jury tampering.

Four men accused of an armed robbery in Heathrow Airport in February 2004 will face trial without a jury later this year.

It is believed three trials have already collapsed over concerns of interference with the jurors.

This will be the first time the power has been used since it came into force in 2007.

(CD/BMcC)

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