A BLAKEDOWN man jailed for his part in a multi-million pound metal theft plot is to challenge his conviction after a juror at his trial was sent to prison.
David Fellows, 59, of Blakedown, together with Ian Lewis, 46, of Stourbridge and Anthony Geeling, 62, of Studley, Warwickshire have all launched conviction challenges at the Court of Appeal.
It follows the jailing for four months at the High Court of lorry driver Stephen Pardon, 42, of the West Midlands. Proceedings were brought against the juror, who admitted contempt of court, by the Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC.
Pardon had disclosed details of deliberations to Lewis during the 13-week criminal trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court relating to allegations of a multi-million pound metal theft plot.
Allowing for Pardon’s “immediate acknowledgement of his guilt” and his genuine remorse, the four-month term was imposed, half of which will be served in custody.
The Attorney General said after the ruling: “There is a compelling public interest in addressing any contempt of the judicial process.
“Mr Pardon's conduct had serious consequences. The trial was disrupted and as a result the three convicted defendants appealed against their convictions - convictions won after a lengthy police investigation and trial."
Fellows, Lewis and Geeling, who had all denied conspiracy to steal during the trial, were each sentenced to four years in jail.
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