Toon fan kicked off jury duty because defendant was a Mackem

A football fanatic wasn't allowed to complete jury duty because the defendant supported a rival team.

The Newcastle United supporter was kicked off the panel as the defendant in a crown court sex case supported local rivals Sunderland, and he is said to have told fellow jurors he would not be able to give the man a fair trial because of his love for the Magpies.

As a result, the case – which had already heard the prosecution's opening – had to be restarted so a new jury could be sworn in.