A woman was arrested in court after allegedly listening to her MP3 player during a murder trial. On June 27, in Blackfriars Crown Court of Central London, a muslim woman is alleged to have listened to music on her MP3 player under her Hijab, during her jury service at a murder trial. The woman who is believed to be in her early 20's and whose name has not been released, showed little enthusiasm in the trial, allegedly trying to avoid jury duty altogether on several occasions, and often appearing late for court. A member of the prosecution, Peter Clarke QC, even requested that the woman be dismissed from her service, due to events prior to the allegations. The request was refused on the basis that jurors could only be dismissed for serious improper behaviour.
The woman in question, was serving at a trial in which a 72 year old man, Alan Wicks, was convicted bludgeoning his disabled wife, of 50 years, to death. He was later sentenced to a minimum of 11 years for his crime.
The judge, Roger Chapple was believed to have heard music playing in the court room. However, after originally dismissing this, he received a note from another member of the jury confirming his suspicions, and had her arrested on charges of committing contempt of court. A crime which could earn up to an average of three years in prison.