A juror is facing a possible jail sentence after she admitted breaking the law while sitting on a child abuse trial at York Crown Court.
Caroline Elizabeth Mitchell, 53, told other jurors about research she had carried out on the internet, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Jurors are not allowed to carry out their own research into a case and are warned about this by judges before the start of a trial.
But Mitchell told other jury members about research she had done about the “dimensions of rooms” at a property.
As a result of her actions, the trial at York Crown Court in March had to be aborted and the entire jury was discharged on the fourth day. The case was retried in front of a different jury several months later.
Admission and remorse
Mitchell, of North Parade, Clifton, York, admitted disclosing information to jurors that was not evidence provided in court. The offence is charged under the Juries Act 1974.
Rodney Ferm, for Mitchell, cited his client’s “prompt admission and remorse” and said she was “really aware of the seriousness of the (offence)”.
Judge Guy Kearl QC, the Recorder of Leeds, adjourned sentence for a probation report but told Mitchell: “It is important for you to understand that simply because I’m adjourning this case for a pre-sentence report…is not an indication of the sentence I will pass upon you.
“You know that this is a serious matter.”
Mitchell was bailed until sentence on February 11.