THE HUSBAND of a Haddington woman who has been accused attempting to murder her by tampering with her parachute is to face a retrial after a jury failed to reach verdicts.

Emile Cilliers, 37, of the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, denied throughout a seven-week trial at Winchester Crown Court two charges of attempting to murder wife Victoria and a third count of damaging a gas fitting.

The jury, depleted from 12 to 10 jurors by "stress-related illness", sent a note to the judge stating they would be unable to reach verdicts after a row over bullying allegations.

Mr Justice Sweeney discharged the forewoman and another female juror on Wednesday after they fell ill and directed the remaining jurors that their deliberations "must remain within the proper bounds of discussion, and not amount to improper pressure or bullying".

In response, the 10 jurors produced a note stating: "Following yesterday's further direction, the jury returned to the deliberation room to read and discuss the direction as discussed.

"The jury unanimously agreed no such bullying had taken place, we then proceeded to further deliberations in the time remaining.

"After our dismissal for the day, a number of jurors were contacted by friends and family who became aware of press reporting implicating bullying.

"Collectively we feel we have had no opportunity to defend ourselves and our integrity which has further implications on us personally and professionally."

Mr Justice Sweeney responded by stating in a further direction that his comments had not "suggested any bullying had been going on" but had been intended "to flush it out if it had".

Following a note from the jury stating they could not reach a verdict Mr Justice Sweeney thanked the jury for their hard work.

He told them: "It has been a long case which you have been required to work very hard on over a long period.

"On behalf of the court I am extremely grateful for the work you have done and that has now come to an end."

Cilliers, wearing a grey suit, put his head down and looked at the floor as the decision to discharge the jury was announced.

The serving soldier with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps is accused of sabotaging his wife's main and reserve parachute and a few days earlier tampering with a gas valve at the family home in Amesbury, Wiltshire.

Mrs Cilliers, who grew up in Haddington, suffered near-fatal injuries when her main and reserve parachutes failed during a jump at the Army Parachute Association at Netheravon, Wiltshire, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015.

Mr Justice Sweeney released Cilliers on conditional bail until the retrial on the three counts which he denies is held on an unconfirmed date.

The judge told him: "I am going to continue your bail on precisely the same conditions as before. As you will be aware, if you were to breach any of those conditions you are liable to find yourself arrested and probably put into custody.

"Equally, if you were to fail to attend your retrial, then it's highly likely it will continue in your absence and your voice will not be heard."