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Case by Jackson and Olding to recover legal costs dismissed by judge in Belfast
Neither men were in court for today’s ruling.
Your contributions will help us continue to deliver the stories that are important to you
Neither men were in court for today’s ruling.
Robert Sharkey was handed a two-year sentence at Belfast Crown Court.
Olding was acquitted on the charge of oral rape following the trial. Paddy Jackson was also acquitted of the charges against him.
The court heard the offending has had a “significant impact” on the victim, who was aged between 14 and 16 when he was indecently assaulted by McCafferty.
As an application was made at Belfast Crown Court to award Jackson his legal costs following the ‘not guilty’.
Jackson privately funded his defence, but he is now seeking to retrieve this money.
The restriction imposed at the beginning of the trial was lifted today as the jury can no longer be prejudiced.
The media were banned from reporting on anything said in the absence of the jury since the start of the trial.
The jury gave their verdict at Belfast Crown Court today.
The judge told the jury to take into account the good characters of all four defendants and the inconsistencies in their stories.
Judge Patricia Smyth also said the witnesses’ lapses in memory may be down to alcohol consumption.
The trial will enter its ninth week at Belfast Crown Court on Monday, when the jury will begin its deliberations.
Harrison’s barrister’s address to the jury earlier today marked the final stage of the trial ahead of Judge Patricia Smyth’s charge.
Closing arguments are being heard in the trial of Paddy Jackson, Stuart Olding, Blane McIlroy, and Rory Harrison.
Brendan Kelly said Jackson’s life had been “blighted” by the poor quality of evidence.
The prosecution has been summing up its case to the jury.
Rory Harrison was also accused of displaying “misguided loyalty” to his friends.
The court heard from Rory Harrison, who is accused of withholding information, today.
McIlroy (26) denies a count of exposure.
Olding has denied forcing a woman to perform oral sex on him.
The rugby player denies raping a young woman.
A DC from the PSNI’s Rape Crime Unit was on the stand today.
The mobile messages of Stuart Olding, Rory Harrison, and Blane McIlroy were perused today at Belfast Crown Court.
The jury heard details of police interviews today.
Statements given by Jackson and Olding after their arrest were read out in court today.
The court also heard from a policeman from the rape crisis unit.
Judge Patricia Smyth told jurors not to discuss the trial over the weekend.
The driver says when police contact him, he knew “straight away” what it was about.
A number of women who attended the party in Jackson’s home today took the stand at his and Stuart Olding’s trial in Belfast.
“No-one remembers exact moments from a night out. You can’t be expected to remember each thing you have done.”
The jury were taken in two groups of six to Jackson’s bedroom.
The young woman faced cross examination from the defence again today.
The young woman faced cross examination from the defence again today.
Today is the fourth day that she has been in the witness box.
The judge in the case clarified the situation today.
The 21-year-old woman told the court she hadn’t diluted down her knowledge of rugby or the Ulster players.
She was giving evidence for the second day at Belfast Crown Court.
The woman, aged 19 at the time of the alleged attacks, lost her composure while recalling being in the home of Paddy Jackson for a party on 28 June 2016.
Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding are accused of raping the same woman in Belfast.
The jury members were warned not to talk to anyone about the issues covered during the trial.