A JUROR who went missing from court was fined today after she admitted lying to the judge.

Louisa Martin, 21, disappeared during an indecent assault trial at Lewes Crown Court.

The judge in the case told police to stop people in the street outside and ask them to be jurors after Martin's non-appearance. A stand-in was eventually found from another source.

Shop worker Martin originally told Judge Richard Hayward she missed the trial after her sister was taken suddenly to Kings College Hospital in London.

But today Martin admitted lying and said she had been ill herself.

Her solicitor Michael James said: "She was sick in bed. She lives in a flat on her own and didn't get in touch with anybody."

Mr Jones said his client did not understand the gravity of the situation and apologised to the court.

Judge Hayward ordered Martin to appear to explain her absence after she failed to turn up, but again she failed to appear.

The judge then ordered her arrest and last Monday she lied to the court about her sister.

Mr Jones said Martin had lost two stone through worry and she had suffered considerably.

The court heard Martin lived alone and had few relatives and no friends.

Mr Jones said: "Her punishment has been coming to court to own up to the fact she has been untruthful."

Judge Hayward fined her £250 and ordered her to pay costs of £150.

He told Martin she had wasted the time of witnesses, fellow jurors, the defendant and court staff.

He added: "It appears you lied to the court staff and lied to me in court last week, and if you had given that lie under oath you would have been guilty of perjury."

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