Assault case man could face retrial
Thursday, 7th June 2001.
A JURY has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict in the case of a Haverhill man accused of assault.
Justin Westley, 24, of Fritton Court, was on trial at Ipswich Crown Court. He had denied assaulting 24-year-old Russell Hardy, causing actual bodily harm, in August last year.
The trial started on Thursday and the jury of six men and six women retired to consider their verdict on Friday.
After more than three-and-a-half hours, the jury was unable to reach even a majority verdict with at least ten of them agreeing. Mr Westley now faces a possible retrial.
Mr Hardy had told the court he was twice punched by one man and then repeatedly kicked in the head, while down, by various people.
The incident had led to him having an operation to repair his fractured jaw.
Although Mr Westley denied a charge of assaulting Mr Hardy, when the defendant gave evidence, he admitted he had lied to police in saying he had not punched the victim.
He said he had punched once and not twice, as Mr Hardy claimed.
Mr Westley said he lied because he did not want to get other people into trouble.
The Crown Prosecution Service must notify the court within the next week if it intends to pursue a second trial.
Justin Westley, 24, of Fritton Court, was on trial at Ipswich Crown Court. He had denied assaulting 24-year-old Russell Hardy, causing actual bodily harm, in August last year.
The trial started on Thursday and the jury of six men and six women retired to consider their verdict on Friday.
After more than three-and-a-half hours, the jury was unable to reach even a majority verdict with at least ten of them agreeing. Mr Westley now faces a possible retrial.
Mr Hardy had told the court he was twice punched by one man and then repeatedly kicked in the head, while down, by various people.
The incident had led to him having an operation to repair his fractured jaw.
Although Mr Westley denied a charge of assaulting Mr Hardy, when the defendant gave evidence, he admitted he had lied to police in saying he had not punched the victim.
He said he had punched once and not twice, as Mr Hardy claimed.
Mr Westley said he lied because he did not want to get other people into trouble.
The Crown Prosecution Service must notify the court within the next week if it intends to pursue a second trial.
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