LONDON A Muslim woman juror who was dismissed from a murder trial after being caught with a MP3 player under her hijab appeared in the dock at Blackfriars Crown Court. The woman, who is 20 but cannot be named, faced a charge of contempt of court for deliberately ignoring evidence while a pensioner accused of bludgeoning his wife to death after 50 years of marriage was giving evidence.

Judge Aidan Marron, QC, told her it was “of fundamental importance” that the case be adjourned. He said he had asked for an amicus – a barrister representing the court – to be appointed to deal with the matter. He said: “Although there may be allegations she was persistently late and was quite indifferent to listening to the evidence and studying documentation, these demonstrate mindset but do not constitute contempt of court.”

Judge Marron advised the woman to “reflect on her position”, adding that the case would have to be tried at another court because of the danger that he and other judges at Blackfriars would know some of the potential witnesses.

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