Jury fails to reach verdict in alleged Norwegian hitman trial
A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of an alleged hitman from Norway accused of travelling to England to carry out a killing on behalf of an international crime gang backed by Iran.
Talented footballer Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, allegedly agreed with the Swedish Foxes gang to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 euros (£21,500) in March last year.
Two days after arriving in the UK on a flight from his home in Stavanger, armed police swooped to arrest him at a hotel in Huddersfield, and seize two guns and 12 live bullets.
Natland admitted possession of the firearms and ammunition but denies conspiracy to murder, claiming he planned to shoot himself in the foot to get out of the “pickle”.
Jurors retired to deliberate on a verdict on Tuesday morning and were given a majority directtion by Mr Justice Lavender on Thursday (Jun 18).
Shortly before 3pm, the senior judge discharged the jury after it failed to reach a verdict following 14 hours and 43 minutes in retirement.
Prosecutor Alistair Richardson said the Crown would seek a retrial and Natland was remanded into custody.