The jury trial of two Ireland and Ulster rugby players accused of sexual offences is underway at Belfast Crown Court following a delay because of Judge Patricia Smyth having to deal with a legal matter.
Judge Smyth later apologised to the jury of nine men and three women for the delay in starting the case of Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding, explaining it was to deal with a legal matter.
She further explained that while legal matters were "part and parcel" of any trial, they were of no concern to them, and dealt with in their absence.
However, Judge Smyth said if she thought any legal matter would take sometime she would "not inconvenience" them by keeping them in their jury room, but would allow them to leave.
Once explained, but before the formal opening of the prosecution case by QC Toby Headworth, they were "put in charge of the case," whereby the court clerk told them their "issue is to decide" on what charges, if any, the accused were either guilty or not guilty of.
Both Ulster and Ireland rugby players, Jackson (26) from Oakleigh Park in Belfast, and 24-year old Olding, from Ardenlee Street, are charged with, but deny the rape of the same woman at a house in south Belfast in June 2016. Jackson has also been charged with sexual assault.
On trial with them, facing charges arising from the alleged incident on June 28, 2016 are Blane McIlroy, from Royal Lodge Road in Belfast, accused of exposure, and Rory Harrison (25) from Manse Road, who is facing charges of perverting the course of justice, and withholding information.
