20 year old, Ruhela Khanom was convicted last Wednesday and now faces a contempt charge and a jail sentence for her unique antics during the murder trial of a retired businessman in the Blackfriars Crown Court, London.
Khanom, who is currently unemployed, was witnessed wearing hearphones under her traditional Muslim Hijab, whilst the trial was in session, thus missing valuable information relating to the trial. She was immediately thrown off the trial, arrested and her mp3 player was seized. However, now things are even more serious and, with the charge of contempt, she could currently face an unlimited fine and indefiniate imprisonment, although the actual penalty is currently unknown.
This was not the first case of Khanom's disruption, as having been late on several occasions, she was told by the judge to arrive 15 minutes early, and she had also delayed proceedings on another occasion, claiming toothache. Commenting on Khanom, Judge Rodger Chapel claimed, "...this particular juror has given everyone in this case concern from the very outset."
The trial has been described as astonishing by witnesses and a top court official said, "...the woman was clearly laughing at the court and our system of justice."