THE trial of football fans accused of hooliganism at two railway stations was abandoned after a former defendant started a relationship with a juror hearing the case of his co-accused.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday that the trial of four Hartlepool United fans and two Darlington supporters was stopped last May.

Nine men had been accused of charges ranging from affray to violent disorder on March 11, 2000, offences alleged to have happened at Darlington and York railway stations as rival fans travelled back from games in London. All denied the accusations.

Midway through the trial, two men, including Lee Alan Atkinson, 20, of Lithgo Close, Hartlepool, had not guilty verdicts delivered in their cases on direction of Judge Richard Lowden after submissions showed they had no case to answer. A third agreed to be bound over to keep the peace.

Tim Roberts, prosecuting, said the trial was halted after it emerged Mr Atkinson had "formed an attachment" with a female juror hearing the case of his former co-accused, which was thought to be "inappropriate".

Mr Roberts said that although no longer on trial, Mr Atkinson had attended court every day.

Cleveland Police confirmed there had been an investigation into possible proceedings which could be brought against Mr Atkinson and the juror, and a file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, which advised there was insufficient evidence to prove any criminal offences had been committed.

Yesterday's hearing was to sentence the remaining six defendants who have since admitted using threatening words or behaviour.

The court heard two pre-sentence reports were not available and the case was adjourned for two weeks. The men were released on bail.

The six to be sentenced are: Leslie Paul Gibbon, 31, of Sydenham Road, Liam David Philips, 21, of Fernwood Avenue, Gregory Swinbourne, 32, of Cowper Grove and Ian Charles Bailey, 23, of Jesmond Gardens, all Hartlepool, and Mark Blackett, 33, of Cedar Road and Michael Hawdon, 29, of Mildred Street, both Darlington.