A jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of 19‑year‑old Johannes Natland, a Norwegian teen accused of traveling to England to carry out a murder on behalf of a crime gang backed by Iran. Natland allegedly agreed with the Swedish "Foxes" gang to shoot an unnamed target for 25,000 euros (£21,500) in March of last year. Two days after arriving in the UK, armed police seized him at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, confiscating two firearms and 12 live rounds.
Natland admitted possession of the guns and ammunition but denied any conspiracy to murder. Prosecutors said the Crown would seek a retrial and Natland was remanded into custody. The jury retired to deliberate for 14 hours and 43 minutes before the judge, Mr Justice Lavender, discharged them for failing to reach a verdict. The case highlights the difficulties of prosecuting cross‑border criminal activity and the burden it places on judicial processes. The trial will continue under the same judicial framework after the jury's inability to decide.
