In brief
A jury in Huddersfield could not reach a verdict against 19‑year‑old Johannes Kongsnes Natland, who was accused of agreeing to carry out a murder for 25,000 euros. The case linked a Norwegian teenager to the Swedish Foxes gang and an Iranian-backed crime network. The jurors were given a majority direction by Mr Justice Lavender before retiring for 14 hours and 43 minutes. The senior judge discharged the jury, and prosecutors will seek a retrial while Natland remains remanded in custody. This decision highlights the complexities of prosecuting transnational crime involving minors.
A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a Norwegian teenager accused of travelling to England to carry out a killing on behalf of an international crime gang backed by Iran.
Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, allegedly agreed with the Swedish Foxes gang to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 euros (£21,500) in March last year.
Two days after arriving in the UK, armed police swooped to arrest him at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, seizing two guns and 12 live bullets.
Natland admitted possession of firearms and ammunition but denied conspiracy to murder. Prosecutors said the Crown would seek a retrial and Natland was remanded into custody.
Jurors retired to deliberate on a verdict on Tuesday morning, having been given a majority direction by Mr Justice Lavender earlier.
Shortly before 15:00 BST, the senior judge discharged the jury after it failed to reach a verdict following 14 hours and 43 minutes in retirement.
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