Burst pipe delays Fallon trial

A burst water pipe above an Old Bailey courtroom has delayed the trial of six-times champion jockey Kieren Fallon.

The trial of Fallon and five others accused of a race-fixing scam was due to start on Tuesday.

But Court 12, where the four-month trial is due to take place, was flooded from a burst water pipe above.

Lawyers had this week been using the court to look at papers in the case.

But the flooding means the court, along with another, will be sealed off for two days before lawyers can resume their preparatory work.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the court would not sit until Thursday, when a jury is due to be sworn in.

Fallon and five others, including jockeys Fergal Lynch and Darren Williams, deny conspiracy to defraud customers of online betting exchange Betfair and other punters by agreeing to let horses lose races.