The trial of an alleged grooming gang in the UK has been abandoned following concerns about a WhatsApp group set up by jury members, The telegraph reported.
The case – relating to the alleged rape and sexual abuse of two teenage girls in the town of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, between 2003 and 2006 – was being heard at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
Proceedings against six male suspects began in October last year, but were halted about two months later when one of the 12 jurors informed court officials that several jurors had discussed a TV show about gang grooming in their private WhatsApp group chat.
Following developments, Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones, during an investigation, examined all messages exchanged.
The court heard that during a conversation one of the jurors warned others against watching the show, but despite this another juror responded: “I’m going to watch it anyway”, followed by a smiling emoji.
Another juror also said he would watch the show, the court was told.
All the jurors were then questioned, but they claimed that none of them had actually watched the show. Defense attorneys disputed that claim, suggesting the two jurors may not have been telling the truth, and asked the judge to question them further.
Judge Corbett-Jones refused to re-question the jurors and instead accepted the defense arguments.
“It is with great regret and disappointment that I have come to the conclusion that the multiplicity of problems that arise today and the uncertainty regarding these questions mean that, whatever course of action I take, questions remain unanswered,” the judge ruled.
In handing down his ruling, the judge said he regretted having to halt the trial, but explained that multiple problems had arisen, leaving unresolved doubts that could not be remedied. He concluded that no reasonable measures could remedy the situation due to the “multi-dimensional nature of the problems”.
A new trial is scheduled for August.
Restrictions preventing the disclosure of reasons for jury dismissal were lifted Friday following a request from the Manchester Evening News.
The accused — Tahir Rashid, 54; Mohammed Saleem, 46 years old; Iftaq Hussein, 45 years old; and Sucklane Shah, 46 – have all denied the rape charges.
Arshad Mohammed, 55, has denied rape and assault by penetration, while Amjad Mahmood, 53, has denied allegations of rape, indecent assault, indecency with a child and assault by penetration. Rashid also pleaded not guilty to another rape allegation dating back to the late 1980s.
