Ms Leahly was a juror and spokesperson at a five-month long money laundering and drug trafficking trial. However, she took a bribe in which secured her almost £3,000 in payments. Lord Turnbull stated that sending a corrupt jury member to prison was the only option he had available to him.
The 62 year old was caught after police were tipped off about this. The accused was acquitted and there may be a retrial. Ms Leahly continues to deny the offence stating that the money came from a cheque that she was given in relation to a pension.
Her defence advocate Mr Ross QC said his client had battled health problems and had cared for her parents and husband before they died and that prison would be very difficult for his client. As a result of the investigations her home was bugged and Lord Turnbull concluded: “Your evidence to this court in which you denied your actions was quite ridiculous.”