Judge apologises after juror denied chance to swear on Quran

Summarised from BBC Northamptonshire's report · Updated 4 Nov, 14:04 · Archive

A judge apologised to a juror who was not offered the option to swear an oath on the Quran at the start of a murder trial.

BBC Northamptonshire reports that Judge Rebecca Crane at Northampton Crown Court apologised to a juror who was not given the option to swear an oath on the Quran. The woman had sworn on the Bible on Monday at the start of a murder trial, but the judge said the court had not received information about the juror's preference. Judge Crane told the juror on Tuesday: 'The information that you wanted to take your oath on the Quran was not communicated to us.' The juror accepted the offer to take an oath for a second time and used the Quran on Tuesday.

Jurors are required either to make a promise to be fair or to swear on a holy book of their choice. The trial concerns a 46-year-old man accused of murdering a 71-year-old grandfather. John Mills of Marriott Street, Northampton, denies murder. The trial is due to end later this month.

Read the report

• Judge apologises to juror after Quran oath 'error'The judge says she did not realise that the woman did not want to use the Bible.BBC Northamptonshire · 4 Nov, 12:52

In this story: Judge Rebecca Crane · John Mills · Northampton Crown Court · Kettering · Northampton

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