Jurors in theft trial fail to reach verdict (From York Press)

Jurors in theft trial fail to reach verdict

9:24am Monday 6th February 2012 in News

JURORS in the case of a former delivery driver accused of stealing his employer’s takings and attacking him have failed to reach a verdict.

The 12-strong jury retired on Thursday to debate whether Christopher Thompson was guilty of theft, witness intimidation, causing his former employer Muharrem Kaya, owner of Chubbies takeaway in Hull Road, actual bodily harm and carrying a knife in public.

The jury returned a not-guilty verdict to the theft charge on Friday morning but retired again to further debate the other charges.

However they were unable to reach a majority verdict and were discharged.

Prosecution barrister James Byatt asked for 14 days for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to ask for another trial. Thompson, 36, of Alcuin Avenue, Tang Hall, York, had denied all charges.

Mr Kaya had claimed Thompson failed to hand over £247 he had collected from customers on September 23 last year.

Thompson claimed he had told Mr Kaya he was not prepared to continue working for the Chubbies takeaway while his wages were in arrears and he would take what he was owed in that night’s takings. He also claimed Mr Kaya had no objection to what he did.

Mr Kaya also alleged that two months after he went to police over the money, he was attacked at 1am outside his takeaway by a man in dark clothing.

Thompson had denied being the person involved.