Aberdeen juror kicked off jury after falling asleep during teacher sex trial

A juror was discharged in the middle of a trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court – after falling asleep during the evidence.

The juror was one of 15 members of the public selected to decide whether or not a Shetland teacher was guilty of engaging in sexual activity with pupils.

Due to Covid restrictions and social distancing, juries presently follow trials via a live video link from the Vue cinema on Shiprow – a stone’s throw from Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

But just as the court proceedings are beamed live onto the big screen in the cinema, so too are the members of the jury streamed onto TV screens set up in the courtroom – and it didn’t take long for the sleepy juror to be spotted.

Comfortably seated in the large, luxurious cinema seats, the man was unable to stay awake – despite the serious nature of the case.

Following discussions, it was decided the juror would be discharged, and the trial proceeded with just 14.

A spokesman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said: “The court, having heard from parties in the case, discharged a juror.

“The case was thereafter continued until the following day for further evidence.”