THE judge in the long-running Junior Bryan trial has gone into self-isolation over coronavirus fear.

Judge Howard Crowson called the 11 members of the jury back into court to break the news that he would be forced to continue the trial remotely.

The jury had retired to consider their verdicts just before 12pm but a little over an hour later they were given the news that the judge would be forced to work from home while they continue their deliberations.

Bryan is facing a catalogue of charges including raping, beating and supplying drugs to young girls and women whilst living off some of their earnings from prostitution.

Last week, the 63-year-old pleaded guilty to living off the earnings of one of his alleged victims between September 1999 and November 2002 and two charges of supplying drugs to two women.

He still faces another 29 charges relating to eight different people throughout a two-decade period.

Earlier in the trial, jurors heard that the alleged offences happened in Darlington, Middlesbrough, Leeds and London.

Bryan, of Marton Road, Middlesbrough, remains in custody.