Vicky Pryce guilty: Judge praises jury for 'assiduously performing duties' after embarrassment of first trial

In the quiet hush of post-verdict courtroom, a senior judge praised the jury for its efforts in the Vicky Pryce trial, a stark contrast to the public ridicule heaped on the original panel which failed to reach a verdict.

Mr Justice Sweeney told the seven men and five women that they had assiduously performed their duties in a case in the public spotlight because of the high-profile defendants in the case and the farcical end to the original trial.

Two weeks ago, the same judge lamented “fundamental deficits of understanding” by the original jury which submitted a long list of basic questions before it was discharged for failing to reach a verdict. The second trial – whose questions were limited to asking what was for lunch and court timings – reached a unanimous verdict on its third day of deliberations.

“You have had to deal with a case against a backdrop of publicity which has not necessarily been encouraging,” said the judge. “If I may say so, it’s been absolutely obvious to everybody in court that you have discharged your duties assiduously and throughout for a case that cannot have been easy for you to decide.”

He said that he hoped that they had found the process “challenging but ultimately rewarding”.

Further reading

Vicky Pryce convicted over Chris Huhne speeding points scam

Lib Dems 'knew Huhne had broken law months before it became public'

The e-mails between Vicky Pryce and Sunday Times reporter Isabel Oakeshott

The campaign by vengeful wife and 'batty' barrister

Trial laid bare strains in Huhne household

The ups and downs of the ultimate power couple

Marital coercion - a defence that faces major change

Debate: Is accepting points, as Vicky Pryce did, par for the course in a loving marriage?

Do you have any sympathy for Vicky Pryce?