Jury discharged from trial of aesthetics nurse accused of fraud

The jury in the trial of an aesthetics nurse accused of selling or supplying medications without proper prescriptions has been discharged.

Nichola Hawes, 49, who owns and runs Nichola Hawes Aesthetics Clinic in Bangor, County Down, denies a total of 31 charges including possessing medicinal products with intent to supply and fraud by false representation.

A judge at Downpatrick Crown Court told a jury of six women and six men that after listening to legal argument he was "satisfied this case is not in a fit state to continue at this time".

He said that "regrettably" he had no option but to discharge them.

"I won't say anymore about that, as clearly there will have to be a new trial at a later date," he added.