Jury discharged after juror has virus symptoms
THE jury in the trial of a man alleged to have been involved in a shooting incident have been discharged after one of their number reported experiencing coronavirus symptoms.
Alfie Larkin, 23, is facing trial at Cardiff Crown Court where he denies a count of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear and violence and an alternative count of possessing a firearm in relation to an incident in Greenway Road, Rumney, Cardiff, on January 12 last year.
The jury in the trial, which lasted three weeks, retired to consider their verdicts last Thursday but one member of the jury was unable to attend court yesterday after suffering from symptoms of Covid-19.
As a result of the juror being unable to carry on, Judge Michael Fitton QC made the decision to discharge the jury, with the support of prosecution and defence barristers.
Addressing the jury, Judge Fitton said: “As you’re aware we’re missing a juror. The juror telephoned the court this morning and I got a message when I arrived in court this morning.
“The information that has been relayed by the juror is this, [they] started experiencing symptoms consistent with some symptoms of Covid-19 on Friday. I’m not clear what time that was but that’s the report [they] have given.
“I’m not clear about what efforts [they’ve] made to get [themselves] a Covid test but [they] has not yet been to have a test so there is no confirmation.
“In the present, with substantial growth of Covid cases in Cardiff, each one of you will be concerned to be told that information. In the circumstances, the view I and the bar all share is the news none of you have wanted and no judge wants, losing a colleague juror when in the middle of your discussions.
“The impact must be it will present a distraction to you in your work.
“The view I have taken, the proper course for me to take, is to discharge the absent juror and in consequence I will have to withdraw all of you in this trial so your work as jurors in this trial comes to an end.”
The judge thanked the jury for their efforts during the trial.
Larkin was remanded in custody and another hearing has been listed for October 23 to fix a retrial date.