The trial of an army sergeant who was caught smuggling CS gas from Germany into the UK has collapsed.
Michael Grundy, 36, was stopped at North Shields International Ferry Terminal, North Tyneside, with 957 canisters of the gas, on November 27 last year.
His trial started at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, but, after Judge Beatrice Bolton found that the fairness of the trial had been compromised, the jury was discharged.
Sgt Grundy had told Customs and Excise officers that the army hierarchy "turned a blind eye" to the importation of the weapons, as they were better than standard army issue.
Sgt Grundy, of Catterick, North Yorkshire, denies being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the restriction on importation of gas.
The case will go before a judge later in the year, who will decide if there is a case to answer.
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