Jurors come under scrutiny for Fallon trial

The process of selecting the 12 ordinary men and women who must determine the outcome of an extraordinary trial began in the Old Bailey yesterday when potential jurors were told that they could not serve if they had any connection to the world of racing. Furthermore, they would be barred if they had bet on any of the 27 races featured in prosecution allegations of race-fixing against Kieren Fallon, the six-time champion jockey, and five other defendants.

A hundred members of the public were given a questionnaire, including details of the various races involved. "The prosecution case concerns an allegation that a number of horseraces were 'fixed', to put it colloquially," it stated. "It follows that if the prosecution allegation is right, then anybody involved in betting in those races may be a victim of this alleged offence. That being so, it would obviously be inappropriate for such a person to sit on this jury."

The chosen jurors face a long haul, with four months set aside for the case, starting next week. The defendants, who are on bail, were at the Old Bailey to observe the selection. They include jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams. All deny the charges against them.