Jury member found discussing a case has been convicted

On 13 November 2018, a trial took place at Warwick Crown Court relating to Leslie Allen, who was on trial for drugs offences in the West Midlands.

Damien Drackley was one of the jurors on the case.

Throughout the course of the trial, evidence found that Damien had been discussing the case with his mother, 55-year-old Lorraine Frisby, who had connections to people who knew the defendant. 

Two of those connections – Mark Walker and Laurence Hayden – were subsequently found to have relayed information discussed by the jury to Mr Allen, through information provided to them by Lorraine Frisby.

On the 20th of November 2018, following suspicions raised in the courtroom, Drackley’s phone was seized by Warwickshire Police and examined, where it was found to show multiple recordings between him and his mother, discussing the case and ways they could encourage the jury to find Leslie Allen not guilty, in order for them to ‘benefit’ from his acquittal.

The jury was dismissed and Leslie Allen was found guilty by the Judge of his drugs offences. He was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

They've been convicted of:

• Mark Walker: Conspiring to pervert the course of public justice
• Leslie Allen: Conspiring to pervert the course of public justice
• Lawrence Hayden: Conspiring to pervert the course of public justice
• Damien Drackley: Conspiring to pervert the course of public justice, being a member of a jury engaged in prohibited conduct, intentionally disclosing a jury's deliberations

Lorraine Frisby of West Boulevard, Birmingham, was also charged in connection to the case, and had already pleaded guilty to conspiring to pervert the course of public justice and soliciting the disclosure of jury deliberations.

Collette O’Keefe, senior investigating officer Detective Inspector from Warwickshire Police said: “This was a concerted effort by the individuals involved to exploit the judiciary system, in order for Leslie Allen to evade a lengthy custodial sentence.

"The actions of juror number one - Damian Drackley - sought to undermine his public duty for his own financial gain.

"Thankfully the plan failed, and Allen was convicted. These types of cases are extremely rare, but nonetheless involved a meticulous police investigation in order to identify the parties involved.

"I wish to acknowledge the hard work of the police team and the support of the Warwick jury and court staff who assisted in bringing this case to court. We welcome the attentiveness of this jury resulting in today’s convictions and in delivering justice.“

Sentencing will take place at the same court on 27 January 2023.