Facebook Contempt Juror Jailed For Eight Months

The first juror to be prosecuted for contempt of court for using the internet has been jailed for eight months, after her online activities led to a retrial in a multi-million pound drugs case.

Mother-of-three Joanne Fraill, who admitted at London's High Court to using Facebook to communicate with a defendant in a drug trial, was distraught when sentenced.
The 40-year-old, who also has three stepchildren, used the social networking website to swap messages with Jamie Sewart, in the third of four trials.
During the case at Manchester Crown Court, estimated to have cost £6m, Fraill contacted Sewart, who was found to be not guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs charge.
Fraill wrote to Sewart, who had asked about an outstanding charge: "cant get anywaone to go either no one budging pleeeeeese dont say anyhting cause jamie they could call mmiss trial and i will get 4cked to0".
The next day, Sewart informed her solicitor about the conversation - a move that triggered the contempt of court action.

Fraill, from Blackley, Manchester, also confessed to conducting an internet search about Sewart's boyfriend, Gary Knox, a co-defendant, while the jury was deliberating.
The 34-year-old Sewart was handed a two-month sentence suspended for two years for her involvement, after also being found guilty of contempt.
When told by Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, the length of her sentence, Fraill cried "eight months!" before putting her head on a table and sobbing uncontrollably.
The judge announced a short adjournment "for everyone to calm down" following the collapse of Fraill, whose daughter went into labour before the sentencing.
Sentencing Fraill, the judge said in a written ruling: "Her conduct in visiting the internet repeatedly was directly contrary to her oath as a juror.
"And her contact with the acquitted defendant, as well as her repeated searches on the internet, constituted flagrant breaches of the orders made by the judge for the proper conduct of the trial."
Sewart later said: "I really feel for the woman (Fraill). She's got kids. She apologised and she's not a bad lady. I really feel for her."
Tearful relatives hugged Fraill before she was led away to begin her sentence.
Lord Judge said that the communications between Fraill and Sewart "went much further than the expression of a compassionate concern".
He warned that a custodial sentence for any juror in Britain committing similar contempts "is virtually inevitable" and said: "The sentence is intended to ensure the continuing integrity of trial by jury."
Solicitor General Edward Garnier QC, who presented the case in person, added: "Jurors should take careful note and know that the law officers will prosecute those who commit contempt.
"The jury system is a cornerstone of our society and confidence in this vital part of our criminal justice system will crumble if jurors do not take their responsibilities seriously."

taken from http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Joanne-Fraill-Facebook-Contempt-Juror-Jailed-For-Eight-Months/Article/201106316012967?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_16012967_Joanne_Fraill%3A_Facebook_Contempt_Juror_Jailed_For_Eight_Months