Toy gun sent to juror

Amember of the jury hearing the case of a West Coast father found guilty of murdering his son received a toy gun in the post during the trial.

Justice Rebecca Edwards gave permission for The Press to report the toy gun incident, as long as it was made clear that it was not believed to be connected to the case.

The incident came to light as the jury retired at the conclusion of the two-week trial.

A juror wrote a note to Justice Edwards alerting her that she had received a toy gun in the mail on Wednesday.

The juror told Justice Edwards she had been surprised to receive the toy gun in a box which, was posted anonymously to her workplace. The tracking number revealed it had been sent from Auckland.

Justice Edwards then recalled the jury to the court room where she asked them to put the incident aside and focus on the evidence presented to them during the trial.

She said the juror was not concerned about the toy gun.