Manslaughter trial halted as juror dozed

A MANSLAUGHTER trial was delayed after an elderly juror was caught snoozing through proceedings.

Izabela Dauti, 39, went on trial this week accused of killing Malcolm Cox, 84, a former sergeant major.

However, just seven hours into the trial at Winchester Crown Court, Hampshire, it was brought to a halt after barristers and the judge discovered a member of the jury had dozed off.

It also emerged that the male juror had asked his neighbouring members to keep an eye on him over fears he might drift off.

Judge Jane Miller discharged the jury on the trial’s second day after she said the juror spent “the majority of the opening day asleep”.

Speaking to the juror, Judge Miller said: “Not only the fact that you were apparently asleep for the majority of yesterday, we are concerned that you are not able to give this case the attention it deserved.”

However, the elderly member refuted the claims and told Judge Miller he was not asleep but had in fact just been closing his eyes.

He claimed he could give the court a summary of the case from what he had heard so far. However, Judge Miller rejected these claims. She discharged the juror from not only sitting on Ms Dauti’s case but from any other jury in the future.

The trial began again on Tuesday after a new jury was sworn in. Ms Dauti, of Andover, denies killing Mr Cox in November 2016.