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First trial without jury approved First trial without jury approved
(10 minutes later)
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a criminal trial can take place in front of a judge without a jury for the first time in England and Wales. The Court of Appeal has ruled that a criminal trial can take place at Crown Court without a jury for the first time in England and Wales.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, made legal history by agreeing to allow the trial to be heard by a judge alone.The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, made legal history by agreeing to allow the trial to be heard by a judge alone.
The case concerns four men accused of an armed robbery at Heathrow Airport in February 2004. It will be the fourth time the case has come to trial. It is the first time the power has been used since it was introduced in 2003.
The judge said jury "tampering" was a "very significant" danger in the case. The case concerns four men accused of an armed robbery at Heathrow Airport in 2004. The judge said jury "tampering" was a "very significant" danger.
Lord Judge told the court the cost of the measures needed to protect jurors from potential influence, such as the services of police officers, was too high and that such measures may not properly insulate them.Lord Judge told the court the cost of the measures needed to protect jurors from potential influence, such as the services of police officers, was too high and that such measures may not properly insulate them.
For example, they "did not sufficiently address the potential problem of interference with jurors through their families," Lord Judge said.For example, they "did not sufficiently address the potential problem of interference with jurors through their families," Lord Judge said.
In addition, it would be "totally unfair" to impose such "additional burdens" on individual jurors, he continued.In addition, it would be "totally unfair" to impose such "additional burdens" on individual jurors, he continued.
The trial of the defendants, who cannot be identified, "will take place without a jury in due course", he added.The trial of the defendants, who cannot be identified, "will take place without a jury in due course", he added.