Jury discharged in teacher attempted murder trial

The attack happened in a lane near Dransfield Way in Bath

The jury in the trial of a teacher accused of attempting to stab his on-off partner to death have failed to reach a verdict.

Matthew Jones, 28, denied a charge of attempted murder but admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Emma Kirk after they met in a lane in Bath, Somerset.

The panel of three men and nine women has now been discharged after they deliberated for just more than five hours at Bristol Crown Court.

A decision on whether a retrial should take place will be made on 17 September.

The jury heard Miss Kirk, a fellow teacher, suffered 15 stab wounds to her neck, head and face during the incident on 26 February.

Mr Jones insisted he did not intend to kill Miss Kirk, 24, and said she brought the knife to the scene – not him.

Judge Julian Lambert discharged the jury from further deliberation after the panel indicated further time would not enable them to reach verdicts on which at least 10 of them were agreed.

Addressing the jury, Judge Lambert said: “These things happen. I do discharge you from returning verdicts upon the indictment.

“I am personally grateful to you for what is a public duty.”