Ramarni Crosby trial stops after judge becomes unwell

The trial of eight youths accused of the murder of a 16-year-old has stopped after the judge became unwell.

Ramarni Crosby died after suffering multiple stab wounds in December in Gloucester.

Dean Bradley Smith, 19, and seven teenagers who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been on trial at Bristol Crown Court since mid June.

But it was announced earlier that Mr Justice Knowles was unable to continue, so there will now be a retrial.

Mrs Justice Cutts told the jury she knew it had been some days since they had been back in court and that she was not the judge they were expecting to see.

"Mr Justice Knowles has become unwell and is unable to continue," she said.

"What that means, I'm afraid to say, is that this trial cannot continue."

"I know you have reached the point where all the evidence has been put before you. You were expecting to hear directions and closing speeches before retiring to consider your verdicts.

"But it is Mr Justice Knowles who presided over this trial and he who heard the evidence.

"It is him who needs to give you the directions. I am afraid in situations like these, the trial has to stop, the jury is discharged and the case is relisted."

Mrs Justice Cutts apologised to the jurors, thanked them for their time and released them from jury service for the next 10 years.

No date has yet been set for a retrial.

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