New Sarah jury sworn in

The Sarah Payne trial was dramatically halted today and a retrial ordered only 24 hours after the first jury had been sworn in.

On the second day of the hearing at Lewes Crown Court Timothy Langdale QC suddenly stopped his opening speech for the prosecution as he was describing the scientific evidence he said would prove that Roy Whiting killed the eight-yearold girl.

Almost in mid-sentence he asked Mr Justice Curtis if the jury could leave the court after an unforeseen matter had cropped up.

For two hours counsel flitted between back rooms in the court building and the judge's chambers as the rest of the court were left waiting. Sally O'Neill, QC, defending,