Jurors in first Crown Court trial to take own holy book

JURORS IN the first trial to be held at a Crown Court following the lockdown will have to take their own holy book to swear their legal oath, a court has heard.

Preparations were made yesterday at Winchester Crown Court by Judge Keith Cutler for the trial of 28-year-old Errol Robinson, of Wellesley Road, Sutton, Surrey, who is charged with rape and assault by penetration.

The courtroom has been divided up to allow jurors and barristers to maintain two-metre distancing, with a second courtroom set up as an assembly and deliberation area for the jurors.

Judge Cutler told the court that jurors and witnesses will be required to take their own holy books if they require them for the oath, otherwise they will take a verbal affirmation.

They will also be required to take their own water to drink, he said.

He added that the social distancing measures are not required under the provision of the Coronavirus Act of Parliament but are being implemented to adhere to government guidance.

“There is a lot of fear out there. I do not want people to come here and feel they will be prosecuted for getting too close to people,” he said.

“What we are trying to do is to keep people as safe as we can within government guidance.”

The case was adjourned, with the jurors expected to arrive today for the opening of the trial by prosecutor Tom Wilkins.

Judge Cutler told the defendant: “Thank you for turning up; in terms of your bail, I renew your bail and you are required to be here in good time.”

A report last month suggested that the UK criminal justice system is facing unprecedented court case backlogs and record prisoner numbers, partly as a result of coronavirus. The lockdown has seen courtrooms closed for all but a small number of priority cases and jury trials suspended altogether until recently.