Inquiry into 'use of Ouija board' by jurors

EVERY member of a jury that convicted an insurance broker of a double killing is to be asked about claims that four jurors used a Ouija board to 'talk' to one of the victims.

The Court of Appeal yesterday agreed to inquire into allegations that the Ouija board was used during an overnight hotel stay. These form the basis of Stephen Young's intended appeal against his conviction for shooting Harry and Nicola Fuller in Wadhurst, East Sussex. Young, 35, of Pembury, Kent, was jailed for life at Hove Crown Court last year.

Lord Taylor, the Lord Chief Justice, ordered an investigation to be conducted by the Treasury Solicitor and a senior police officer. He said statements should be obtained from all the jurors.

He emphasised that the inquiry must be restricted to the 'irregularity' alleged to have happened at the hotel and must not cover deliberations in the jury room.

The Contempt of Court Act forbids anyone to inquire into jury-room secrets. The decision to launch an investigation into what happened at the hotel suggests a view that this did not form part of the jury's 'deliberations'.