A JUROR who was overheard saying "He should plead guilty" has been found in contempt of court.

George Best, 65, made the comment during a break in a trial when he was standing near the accused's mother outside court. She reported it to the High Court clerk and the trial had to be deserted.

Yesterday, the High Court in Glasgow, heard that Mr Best, a divorced man with two grown-up children, has a significant alcohol problem and was anxious about being a juror. At the time he was drinking three pints of lager when he woke up.

Judge Lady Rae fined Best £250 and ordered his name to be removed from the list of potential jurors.