THE trial of the dad of a Grimsby murder victim who denies sexual offences has been delayed because a jury member has a medical problem.
Stuart Wilson, 52, of Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby, is on trial at Grimsby Crown Court for one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, 16 counts of indecent assault and one of supplying heroin - all between 1987 and 2003.
The trial began yesterday and he denied the charges.
Wilson is the father of Claire Wilson, who was stabbed to death by Alan McMullan in 2009 while she as she walked to work at Pizza Hut, Grimsby.
Wilson's trial was due to continue today at 10am but was delayed because a member of the jury woke up with a swollen eye.
In a letter to Judge David Tremberg, read out in court, the juror said he felt his eye needed "medical attention".
Judge Tremberg said he had to consider his "ability to continue" and weigh it up against "the vulnerability of the witness" - whose testimony alleging rape has now been heard in court.
The juror said he felt able to continue and was allowed to book a doctor's appointment - although all that was available was 11.50am so the morning session ended early, causing further delay.
The court, via a DVD, heard allegations the witness was raped by Wilson when she was just 14 - and felt unable to tell anyone for fear of not being believed.
She also told how she suffered a miscarriage alone and was forced to bury the remains of a foetus in the middle of the night.
Craig Lowe, defending Wilson, will cross-examine the witness after lunch.
See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for full coverage of the trial today - including the afternoon session.
↧