THE trial of a man accused of a string of sex offences against children was dramatically halted, and had to be restarted today.

We previously reported that Simon Clancy's trial had got underway on Monday. The 45-year-old, formerly of Teme Road, Tolladine, denies 10 counts of child sexual offences, alleged to have taken place between January and November 1992.

The case was meant to resume at 10pm but after a lengthy delay the case was called on at around 11am.

The jury was brought in, missing one juror, and Judge Nicholas Cole explained that the juror concerned had been discharged "due to personal circumstances".

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As a result, Judge Cole said he had taken the decision, as it was early in the case and there had been no live evidence (where people give their evidence in person), he would discharge the entire jury.

He explained that the reason he was doing this was he was satisfied it was in the interests of justice that the case should be tried by a jury of 12, and this was the legal process the court needed to go through.

Later on a new jury, of seven women and five men, was selected.

They heard the same opening of the case including a video of one of the alleged victims giving evidence.

The trial, which is expected to last a week, continues.