Woman thrown off jury – for matchmaking

A FEMALE juror has been thrown off a terrorism trial after she acted as matchmaker for another juror who fell for a detective in the case.

The smitten juror asked her colleague to find out if DS Ryan Chambers was in a relationship at least three times after he gave evidence, the Old Bailey heard.

Judge Mr Justice Globe demanded both women were questioned about the incident after a journalist overheard the incident being discussed and reported it.

The woman who admitted finding DS Chambers attractive said the other juror had ‘jokingly’ asked court staff if he was single, but the inquiry was made without her consent.

Asked if she could remain faithful to her oath, she replied: ‘Yes, absolutely!’

The ‘matchmaker’ juror claimed she had not asked the court usher about the detective’s relationship status.

But the judge discharged her and told the other jurors that her answers were ‘really unsatisfactory’.

The trial in question – which concerns four men who allegedly plotted a bomb and knife rampage between May 25 and August 26 last year – continues.