Jury trial cut short because of technical difficulties
A JURY trial at Lerwick Sheriff Court was cut short today (Tuesday) due to technical difficulties.
The jury was sworn in and given advice about what they could and could not do during the case, which is expected to last until Thursday.
But they did not even get to hear evidence from the first witness in the case – who was appearing via video-link – because of a delay on the screens.
That led Sheriff Ian Cruickshank to decide to adjourn the case against Stephen Gray until 10am on Wednesday.
Gray, from Walls, is charged with sexually assaulting a woman between 1 March and 31 August 2021.
He is also charged with communicating indecently with the woman between the same dates, and with supplying a class A drug – namely cocaine – between the dates libelled.
Gray, 65, denies all the charges.
Jurors were sworn in for the trial on Tuesday morning, ahead of what is Shetland’s first jury trial since 2019.
They were also given the chance to stand down from the jury if they had any reason to do so, however none did.
A statement of uncontroversial evidence, as agreed by the Crown and the defence, was read to the jury before they were due to hear evidence from the first witness.
However the court was cleared shortly after when a delay on the screen stopped the sheriff from being able to follow the witness’ testimony.
There was a long adjournment before Sheriff Cruickshank announced he had made the decision to adjourn the case until 10am on Wednesday morning.
The trial continues.
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