Suzanne Asquith, a juror in a child cruelty case in 2022, found herself at odds with fellow jurors during deliberations at Reading Crown Court. Frustrated by what she perceived as “personality clashes,” Asquith took matters into her own hands and conducted online research on child neglect law to bolster her arguments. Despite being warned against such actions, she felt isolated and proceeded with her search.
Asquith’s actions came to light when another juror raised concerns about her behavior, noting her “bullying attitude” and unauthorized online activity. Although Asquith didn’t directly search for case-specific evidence, her searches included terms related to the trial, such as ‘cretin’ and information on child neglect law and perjury. The judge emphasized the importance of jurors adhering to instructions against conducting independent research to maintain fairness in the trial process.
In sentencing, Judge Amjad Nawaz opted for a suspended 22-week imprisonment term, valid for 12 months, and mandated Asquith to undergo 20 days of rehabilitation activity. Despite her frustrations and feelings of isolation during deliberations, the judge emphasized the need for unity among jurors in following legal procedures for a fair trial.
Source: Juror who researched law on child neglect gets suspended sentence | Law Gazette
