Attempted murder trial jury fails to reach verdict

The jury in the case of a woman accused of attempting to murder a child by tampering with his medication has failed to reach a verdict.

Prosecutors alleged Emma Jane Williams, 41, from Pype Hayes in Erdington, Birmingham, attempted to kill the boy in January by using a syringe to add a substance to his medication.

Jurors, who deliberated for six hours and 44 minutes, were discharged after confirming through their foreman they could not reach a verdict on which at least 10 of them agreed, even if given further time to deliberate.

A further mention hearing in the case was scheduled for 30 July.

The boy cannot be identified due to a court order.

Williams denies a single count of attempted murder, alleged to have been committed on the date of her arrest.

Judge Paul Farrer KC said: "Ladies and gentlemen, it only remains for me to thank you for your help with this case.

"We are genuinely conscious that you came here to serve as jurors at huge personal inconvenience."

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