Burglar on jury

Press, 12 February 1982, Page 6

Burglar on jury

NZPA London A burglar with ten convictions served on three juries at London’s Old Bailey court while he was on a suspended jail sentence and facing theft charges in another court, the London “Sun” has reported. Michael “Micky the Fish” Roche said that a court official told him his criminal record did not matter. He was still qualified for jury service because he had never actually served a prison sentence. Roche was quoted as saying: “This makes a mockery of the whole bloody system. It’s crazy having people like me on juries — I’d find everyone guilty if I could.” Roche, of South Oxhey, Hertfordshire, was on a sixmonth suspended sentence for theft when he received his jury summons. He was also due to appear at the Knightsbridge Crown Court in London on charges of stealing from shops. “I telephoned Knightsbridge court and told them I was on jury service and they said they would put the case back,” he said. Roche added: “I sat in the famous No. 1 Court (the Old Bailey). ■‘Once I asked for the case to be stopped while I went to the toilet — and I got out and had a sniff of cocaine." Roche has 10 previous convictions, including burglary and assault. When Roche finally appeared at Knightsbridge, he was given another ninemonth suspended sentence after admitting the theft charges. The newspaper said Government members of Parliament would press the Home Secretary (Mr William White law) to change the law to stop anyone convicted of a serious offence from serving on juries.