Autograph trial jury discharged

Updated 12.25 Thu Feb 14 2008

Keywords: faisal madani, graeme walker, ian rush, jamie carragher, sir alex ferguson, michael owen, steven gerrard, jonny wilkinson, david beckham, autographs, crime, law and order

The jury in the trial of two businessmen alleged to have conned sports fans into buying fake autographs has been discharged.

Graeme Walker and Faisal Madani are accused of forging the signatures of Jonny Wilkinson, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen and Sir Alex Ferguson.

"The safest option is to start again with a new jury of 12" - Judge David Hale

Owen and Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Ian Rush, were expected to give evidence for the prosecution during the trial.

But one of the jurors discovered earlier this week that her nephew had previously worked for Walker's Sporting Icons business, which sold the alleged fakes.

Judge David Hale told the jurors: "The juror told us that, previously unbeknownst to her, her nephew used to work for Sporting Icons at the time we are concerned about.

"I have decided to discharge you. We could have gone on with 11 but this is a long trial and I have to consider the risk that something else might happen. The safest option is to start again with a new jury of 12."

Walker, 45, of Connah's Quay, Deeside, denies more than 50 counts of cheating the customers of Sporting Icons, which has a store in Chester city centre and also operates on the internet site eBay.

Madani, of Bramhall, Stockport, Greater Manchester, 43, denies 20 counts of supplying the forgeries.

Another jury is expected to be chosen on Monday and the trial will start again on Tuesday.