Vicky Pryce trial: Jurors continue considering verdict (From Daily Echo)

Vicky Pryce trial: Jurors continue considering verdict

8:14am Thursday 7th March 2013 in News

Jurors will today continue considering their verdict in the retrial of Chris Huhne's ex-wife, who is accused of perverting the course of justice by taking speeding points for him nearly a decade ago.

Vicky Pryce denies the charge, claiming Huhne forced her to take the points in 2003.

The 60-year-old economist, from Crescent Grove, Clapham, south London, is using a defence of marital coercion.

Huhne, who had denied the allegations that he passed points to his former wife, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial and will be sentenced after his ex-wife's trial.

A retrial has been taking place at London's Southwark Crown Court after the jury in Pryce's original trial failed to reach a verdict.

The retrial jury of seven men and five women first retired at 3pm yesterday to consider its verdict, and resumed its deliberations today after retiring on Tuesday afternoon.

The allegation dates back to 2003, when Huhne's BMW was clocked speeding on the way back from Stansted Airport as the then-MEP returned from Strasbourg.

Pryce claims he forced her to take points for him to avoid losing his licence, nominating her as the driver and then waving a pen at her, forcing her to sign a form.

The points-swapping only became public in May 2011 - a year after Huhne left Pryce for PR adviser Carina Trimingham in June 2010.