Court usher's son served on six juries

STEPHEN WARD

Legal Affairs Correspondent

At least five more cases heard by a "professional juror" were being reconsidered by court officials yesterday after the Court of Appeal freed a man he had helped convict of burglary.

The juror was called in repeatedly by his father, a senior usher at Stoke Crown Court, to make up the numbers.

Last night the Court Service, which was given agency status by the Lord Chancellor's Department last year, was checking the records of other trials where the juror was co-opted.

The defendant, Frederick Salt, 25, who had served 13 months, will be entitled to claim compensation for wrongful imprisonment. His convictions for burglary and assaulting a policeman were quashed because the usher's son, who had served several times, would be likely to be an expert who would influence other jurors.

Details of other cases heard by the juror have not been made public, but according to a source at the Lord Chancellor's office the Court Service was planning to tell any defendants convicted by the "professional juror". They would be able to seek leave to appeal, and the Court of Appeal might free them or order a retrial. If freed they would be able to claim compensation.

Although the appeal judges ruled that the father and son must not be named, it emerged during the hearing this week that on at least six occasions at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court the young man had been called in to fill in when there was a shortage. Jurors are paid pounds 44.8 a day, plus pounds 4.25 meals allowance and up to 36p a mile travelling allowance.

Mr Salt was represented by Antony Longworth, who said the juror was summoned to attend court after it was realised they were one short of a jury panel in June last year.

Lord Justice Staughton refused an application for a retrial on the grounds that it was not in the public interest.