Jury in Diana butler trial sent home without explanation

The trial of the former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, was halted without explanation yesterday when the judge sent the jury home for the day.

Mrs Justice Rafferty gave no reason for the move and said only that the court might not sit again until tomorrow.

The trial at the Old Bailey was adjourned as the prosecution case against Paul Burrell entered its final days.

When the jurors entered court shortly before 11am, the judge told them: "Don't get too comfortable. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry, there's been a slight delay. We can't sit today. I'm going to send you away now. I hope we will sit tomorrow. It's a little uncertain now."

She told the jurors to phone the court at 5pm to find out whether they would be required to return today. They were informed later that they would not be needed.

Mr Burrell, 44, of Farndon, Cheshire, denies stealing 310 items from Diana, the Prince of Wales and Prince William. This is the second time his trial has been halted; earlier this month the first jury was dismissed for legal reasons.

Mr Burrell was charged after detectives raided his home looking for a signet ring belonging to the Princess's former lover James Hewitt, which she kept in a wooden box that had disappeared from Kensington Palace.

Police found hundreds of items of royal memorabilia, which Mr Burrell said he was keeping safe for the Princes.