Drugs trial abandoned because of Sudoku

An Australian drugs trial costing tax payers £500,000 has been aborted after jurors admitted playing Sudoku in the courtroom.

The three-month trial could have see the two accused men handed out life sentences - it will now have to start again once a less quiz-mad jury has been appointed.

Mistaking their secret sudokuing for copious note taking the judge had even praised them for being such a diligent jury.

After being caught, one juror claimed the puzzles had helped keep her "mind busy" as she listened to repeated testimonies from the witness box.

Despite holding up the legal system and costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars no legal action can be taken against jurors.