Ineligible juror halts graft trial

A non-uniformed police employee caused a high-profile corruption trial to be aborted on its third day after he discovered he was ineligible for jury service.

The seven-strong Court of First Instance jury was discharged after defendant Jerry Lui Kin-hong refused to continue with just six members.

The police worker had read his terms of service and found government law enforcement employees were barred from acting as jurors.

A new jury, this time with nine members, was sworn in. The trial restarted under the same judge, Mr Justice Wally Yeung Chun-kuen.

The tobacco company executive has denied conspiring to accept advantages.

Lui, 42, is accused of receiving more than $33 million in bribes and loans from distributor Giant Island.