THE jury in the trial of five men accused of being involved in the murder of a drugs supplier has asked for a majority verdict.

The panel at Winchester Crown Court had been deliberating for close to three and half days when they asked Mrs Justice Cutts asking for her assistance this afternoon (Thursday).

Gurinderjit Rai, 41, was murdered in Shepherds Farm Lane, Corhampton, on July 12, 2019. Mr Rai was found the following day with two gunshot wounds.

Aston Hannis, 30, of Leah Gardens, Eastleigh; Charlie Statham, 30, of Crescent Close, Oliver's Battery; Corin Barlow, 41, from Horley, Surrey; and Paul White, 27, of Dyson Drive, Abbotts Barton, all deny murder.

A fifth man Philip Hodan, 43, of Longwood Dean Lane, Owslebury, has denied participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group.

Addressing the jury today, Mrs Justice Cutts said: “Thank you for your note and asking for my assistance, and I will of course give it, but I am not going to give it now and the reason I am not going to give it is because we have reached this time of day on Maundy Thursday.”

She added: “I have very in mind what you have asked me, it is something that I will address you on on Tuesday.”

The jury were sent home and will not return until Tuesday, following then Bank Holiday weekend.