A man who served on the jury in a school stabbing trial which later collapsed has denied engaging in prohibited conduct while serving on a jury.
The charges relate to the initial trial of a girl who stabbed two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Carmarthenshire, which required a retrial.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Christopher Elias, 45, of Waunceirch, Neath Port Talbot, allegedly failed to disclose a personal connection to a person involved in the trial and that he was a former pupil at the school.
He is accused of using that knowledge to influence other jurors. Mr Elias pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In April 2025 a teenage girl who cannot be named because of her age was sentenced to 15 years in detention for the attempted murder of teachers Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and a pupil.
They were stabbed by the girl, who was 13 at the time, in April 2024.
The first attempted murder trial collapsed in October 2024 because of what the judge described as a “great irregularity in the jury”.
Mr Elias’ trial is expected to be held in a crown court in England, with a date to be set in future.
The defendant was released on unconditional bail until 26 September.
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