The top Bristol judge gave a personal Christmas message to a juror: "Don't take pictures or video inside Bristol Crown Court."
The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Peter Blair KC had a special hearing arranged after the juror was discharged from a jury earlier this week for apparently checking his phone for emails in court. And there was an added allegation that, in a jury waiting room, the man had taken a photo or video.
It was Recorder Kate Brunner KC who had the juror discharged from sitting on her trial. Judge Blair told the juror: "She made a decision and discharged you from that jury.
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"The court requires jurors to focus their attention on trials when they are in court. It had the potential of causing £1,000s and £1,000s of wasted costs after that occurred."
The judge also told the juror a further allegation had been made to staff that he had taken a photo or video in the jury waiting area. The judge asked him: "I need to know whether that's right or wrong?"
The juror, whose last day of jury service was today (December 23, 2022), denied doing so. The judge underlined how such activity was prohibited by law, wished the juror well for Christmas and took no further action.
The Criminal Justice Act 1925 prohibits the taking or attempted taking of photographs in court with the view to publication.
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