Jury discharged in case of woman charged with cultivating cannabis and possessing criminal property

A jury has been discharged in the case of a woman charged with cultivating cannabis and possessing criminal property. Zoe Rule, 31, of Kilton Walk, Collyhurst, went on trial at Manchester Crown Court earlier this week.

Jurors were discharged on Thursday (September 15) after it emerged there was new evidence the prosecution and defence needs to consider. Recorder Vigars Anna KC granted 28 days for counsel to source and collate the new evidence; and a further 28 days to respond to new discoveries; and a final 28 days needed for the two parties to come to a conclusion about what facts may be agree.

A new trial date was listed for June 28, with the hearing set to last three days.

Addressing the seven women and five men of the jury, Recorder Vigars said: "I thank each of you for being here, it's frustrating news but there's more information that has come to light in the course of the work that's been done in the last 12 to 15 hours that needs to be gone into thoroughly.

"I'm going to stop this trial and give both parties opportunity to go through matters so evidence can be put properly before a jury in a few months time. I'm extremely sorry but I'm sure you will understand that it's extremely important that the full picture is dealt with properly and fairly and it would be wrong of me to insist on this case going ahead."

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