Jury fails to reach verdict in Norwegian 'hitman' trial


A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a Norwegian teenager accused of travelling to England to carry out a killing on behalf of an international crime gang backed by Iran.


Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, allegedly agreed with the Swedish Foxes gang to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 euros (£21,500) in March last year.


Two days after arriving in the UK, armed police swooped to arrest him at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and seized two guns and 12 live bullets.



Court sketch of a young man sat in court. He is wearing a white shirt and has medium-length brown hair with a middle parting.
Johannes Natland was remanded in custody until a retrial can take place.


Natland admitted possession of the firearms and ammunition but denied conspiracy to murder. Prosecutors said the Crown would seek a retrial and Natland was remanded into custody.


Jurors retired to deliberate on a verdict on Tuesday morning and were given a majority direction by Mr Justice Lavender earlier.


Shortly before 15:00 BST, the senior judge discharged the jury after it failed to reach a verdict following 14 hours and 43 minutes in retirement.


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