Jury out on Redknapp as verdict proves elusive
TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has been made to sweat on his fate after the jury in his trial for alleged tax evasion failed to reach a verdict last night.
The 12 jurors will reconvene and continue their deliberations at Southwark Crown Court this morning on the 13th day of the high-profile trial. Judge Anthony Leonard has asked for a unanimous verdict and, although a result is expected today, the process could in theory run into tomorrow or even Friday.
Redknapp denies claims he cheated the public revenue by receiving payments totalling £189,400 into an offshore account named after his pet dog Rosie. Former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric, who paid the sums into the Monaco account, also denied two charges of tax evasion.
Redknapp, the favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager, was in court again yesterday for the judge’s summing up.
Leonard urged the jury to ignore any footballing allegiances when he sent them out to consider the arguments shortly before lunchtime. He said: “Football is an emotive subject, stirring in an individual anything from deep passion to resentment.”