Regan trial jury given protection

THE jury in a £2.4m theft case involving the Co-op will have police surveillance during the six-week trial, a judge warned. Jury protection was a precaution and must have no influence on the verdict, Judge David Radford told Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He said the protection order was no reflection on the defendant, Andrew Regan, 37, former boss of quoted food company Hobsons. The case is brought by the Serious Fraud Office.

The police protection would ensure a fair trial and that the jury was 'not subject to any improper pressure of any kind from whatever source'.

Judge Radford referred to a briefing by the Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on the dangers of jury 'nobbling' by criminals.

'Let me make it clear to you that there is no suggestion in this case that the defendant, Mr Regan, is the kind of violent and sophisticated career criminal about whom the Deputy Commissionerexpressed concern,' the judge said. Regan is accused of stealing £2.4m from FE Barber, a subsidiary of Hobsons, in January 1995.

When Hobsons bought the Co-op's food manufacturing side for £105m in 1994, it had a three-year exclusive contract to supply the Co-op with foods from pickles to soft drinks, said Douglas Day QC, prosecuting.

Regan is alleged to have used the £2.4m to bribe two Co-op executives and get the contract extended. The trial continues.