Scottish court system offered ‘little support’ to jurors in longest ever trial in British history

Jurors in the longest ever criminal trial in British history have spoken of their need for counselling after the case finally came to an end.

After spending 20 months in a fraud case in Glasgow in which Edwin McLaren, 52, was found guilty of defrauding homeowners to the tune of £1.6 million, the jurors, who used pseudonyms, said the case affected their careers and well-being.

Julie, 37, had to seek medical help after returning to work for four days.

She said: “There should be more psychological support made available for jurors who sit through long trials.

“You were sitting in a room listening to evidence but you didn’t communicate. I’m really struggling with communication now.”

Paul, 51, required to be retrained in his role as a civil servant.

“I think I was always talking before this trial and now I am just sitting at my seat not really saying much.”

Anne Marie, 57, also a civil servant, said: “Nobody realises the impact it has on everybody’s lives.”

Emma, 26, left her job in a fast food restaurant to study social sciences after the trial allowed her “time to reflect”.

She said she “felt lost at times” and relied on her fellow jurors rather than the court system, which offered little support.