BRITAIN:Nearly 100 potential jurors in the Kieren Fallon race-fixing trial were yesterday asked if they might be among the alleged victims of the champion jockey and his five co-defendants at the Old Bailey in London.
The six-time champion jockey was in court with his five fellow defendants, as final preparations continued before the court starts hearing evidence next week.
Jurors were asked to stand aside if they had bet on or against named horses in 27 races on British courses between December 30th, 2002 and August 31st, 2004. Mr Fallon rode several of them.
Mr Fallon (42), with addresses in Newmarket, England, and in Tipperary, is accused with fellow jockeys Fergal Lynch (29), Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, and Darren Williams (29), Leyburn, North Yorkshire, of conspiring to fix races by slowing their horses to order.
Also accused are Mr Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch (37), who has an address in Belfast, former racing syndicate director Miles Rodgers (38), Silkstone, South Yorkshire, and barman Philip Sherkle (42), Tamworth, Staffordshire. Mr Rodgers is also accused of money laundering or concealing the proceeds of crime. All five are on unconditional bail.
The trial is expected to last at least four months.