On the second day of the Crown Court trial against eco-campaigner Garry Oates, who is accused of injuring a car boot marshal back in 2021, the jury has been discharged.
The trial against the 65-year-old from Sandown, accused of dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident at an event at Sandown Airport on Saturday 26th June 2021, began at the Isle of Wight Crown Court yesterday (Monday), with those present hearing from key witnesses and those involved.
The jury, alongside further witnesses, arrived at court this morning (Tuesday) in anticipation of the trial continuing. However, after deliberations between all parties, it was decided that the trial couldn’t continue amid ‘difficulties’.
Addressing the jury, His Honour Judge Sawyer, said:
“Difficulties have arisen in the case that mean we are unable to continue.”
Judge Sawyer thanked the jury for their attendance before swiftly discharging them.
The victim in the case, who had already given evidence, will have to do so once again.
A re-trial, with a fresh set of jurors, will now take place on 23rd March 2026.
This case is on it’s 9th Listing.
Whilst it is understandably important that a case is fair and just.. How can it be fair on the Victim to have to wait until 23rd March for this trial to be started again.
Obviously the reason for suspending the trial will never be made public unless it was the Victim at fault, then this needs to happen sooner.
Just throw it out of court, it’s gone on to long,5 years, what a total disgrace.
And just how much are all these delays costing us the general public, besides the actual legal costs of lawers etc there is the associated costs of all the jurors who can claim expenses plus other staff etc to do with the running of the court.
WTF? Something not quite right in this case? (Difficulties have arisen) what difficulties? What an absolute shambles, get on with it, is he guilty ( the driver) or is the (traffic marshal) ?
In a jury trial, 15 jurors are picked, not knowing who is on trial. On the day, each is asked if they have prior knowledge of either party. If any of them do, or know them, or have heard of them, or thinks either party may have prior knowledge of them it’s classed as tantamount to bias. If there are not then 12 jurors without bias the trial cannot go ahead. Small island problems, eh?