Mr Justice Sweeney had discharged the forewoman and another female juror on Wednesday after they had come down with “stress-related illnesses”. He told the jurors in a direction that their deliberations “must remain within the proper bounds of discussion, and not amount to improper pressure or bullying”. “The jury unanimously agreed no such bullying had taken place, we then proceeded to further deliberations in the time remaining. “After our dismissal for the day, a number of jurors were contacted by friends and family who became aware of press reporting implicating bullying. The defendant denies two counts of attempted murder and one of criminal damage to the gas valve, recklessly endangering life.

Source: The Guardian November 23, 2017 13:30 UTC