Juror ends up in the dock accused of kidnap case illegal 'research'

A LYMINGTON man accused of conducting online research into a case in which he was a juror, has himself appeared in court.

Alan Frankcom (51) was a member of the jury sitting at Southampton Crown Court during the case of Daniel Harkins who was being tried for kidnap.

Along with a gang of five, Harkins was alleged to have abducted businessman Richard Baker from Southampton’s West End believing he was involved in an arson attack at a gym owned by Harkins.

The victim was beaten up and tortured with a screwdriver.

The trial against Harkins and the gang collapsed in December 2017 and the jury was discharged.

But the defendants were later retried and midway through the proceedings changed their pleas to guilty.

They were jailed for a total of 43 years for the kidnap of Mr Baker after admitting conspiracy to falsely imprison him.

Frankcom, of Bridge Farm, Lymington Road, is now facing charges of seeking financial information in respect of Harkins while the first trial was going on.

He appeared before Southampton magistrates on Monday who sent the case to the city’s crown court.

He was granted unconditional bail to appear there on 15th February.