'I don't have any faith in the legal system'

Keith Hoyle asked to be exempted and was refused permission by the Jury Service, but the Runcorn man won an appeal at Warrington Crown Court on Monday.

He told the court: "I don't have any faith or any belief in the English legal system. I believe there are double standards in this country and I am not prepared to take part in it and I don't think it would be fair to sit on a jury where I don't believe in the system.

"I have known people in a legal position and for the life of me I can't understand the kind of judgement they have had against them, when I have seen other people get away with the same offence."

Judge Phillip Hughes could have forced Mr Hoyle to serve on a jury.

And Mr Hoyle could then have faced a fine or a jail sentence if he did not carry out his duty properly.

Judge Hughes told him: "There's no way the system can be perfect and it makes mistakes. It's run by human beings with all our faults and from time to time certain people will act in a corrupt way. That's human nature.

"That doesn't mean the whole system is a bad one, but I can't have you on a jury as a disruptive influence, if you can't take part in that jury's deliberations.

"In the circumstances I am going to excuse you. I am sorry you should take the attitude you do but you are very straight forward with me which I appreciate."