TV documentary tells story of juror who scuppered massive drugs trial using Facebook
6:08pm Tuesday 23rd July 2013 in News 
By Miranda Newey, Reporter
A DEFENDANT who avoided jail after responding to a message sent by a juror has appeared on a television documentary about the pitfalls of social media.
Joanne Fraill, a juror, was jailed for eight months after contacting defendant Jamie Sewart, from Deane.
Fraill sent messages to the defendant on Facebook after she and fellow jurors cleared Sewart of drug offences.
Ms Sewart exchanged several messages with Fraill but informed her solicitor the following day. Despite Ms Sewart being acquitted other defendants were still on trial and it was feared the trial, which had already collapsed three times would fall through again. Don?t Blame Facebook was shown on Monday night on Channel 4 and featured Ms Sewart and her partner, Gary Knox, formerly from Farnworth, who was also on trial. The programme featured people who had got in trouble unexpectedly from comments made via social media. Ms Sewart said: ?I didn?t even know why I was answering back. I think it was because she was being so nice.?
She then asked Fraill a question about a remaining charge, which the jury was still deliberating on.
She said: ?I was charged with contempt of court. After serving 14 months on remand all I could think was ?oh my God?. It was one place I never wanted to go back to again.?
Ms Sewart contacted her solicitor following the exchange of messages and called her partner, Mr Knox.
Mr Knox said: ?I spoke to Jamie and she was screaming down the phone. She said we might go back on trial again. I was shocked and I felt sick. The prosecution was trying to get us back on trial to say we have knobbled the jury.?
Ms Sewart was given a two-month sentence, sus-pended for two years, after being found guilty of contempt.
Fraill admitted the offence and was jailed.
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