JURY DISCHARGED IN TRIAL OF SWANSEA MAN ACCUSED OF CONSPIRACY TO MURDER WIFE
A jury trying the case of a husband accused of plotting with a neighbour to murder his estranged wife has been discharged.Paul Lewis and Dominique Saunders were alleged to have conspired - that is come to an agreement - to kill Lewis' former-partner by hiring a "hitman".
On Tuesday morning the Swansea Crown Court jury hearing the case was discharged following detailed legal discussions.
A date for a retrial will now be sought.
Judge Geraint Walters thanked the jurors for their patience and service in the case.
It was the prosecution case that Lewis had paid his neighbour Saunders £1,500 to "facilitate" the murder of his estranged wife Joanne Atkinson-Lewis by arranging for a hitman to carry out the killing.
No such act was ever carried out but the court heard it was the alleged agreement that constituted the offence.
Paul Lewis, aged 54, and 34-year-old Dominique Saunders, both of Fishmarket Quay, Swansea Marina, Swansea, denied the allegations.
