TRIAL OF JORDAN'S GROOM COLLAPSES
ABOVE: Jordan - real name Katie Price - outside Lewes Crown Court
The jury in the trial of a woman who worked for glamour model Jordan while allegedly claiming benefits at the same time has been discharged.
Joanne Hillman, 34, is accused of claiming benefits for nearly two years while she was working as a groom for the glamour model.
A Lewes Crown Court official said the jury was dismissed after the judge said he was concerned that Hillman would not get a fair trial.
It followed press reports of comments made by Jordan in court, during her evidence, that Hillman had stolen from her. The court official also said that Jordan could be recalled back to court to give more evidence.
The glamour model told the court on Tuesday that Hillman took photos from her house, set up accounts in her name at pet shops and then sold on the goods, and hired out her horse box.
She also had a £12,500 contract with the News of the World to do a piece called My Life With Jordan and was going to write a book with Max Clifford, the jury heard.
The model said: "She stole from me. I was absolutely gutted because she was brilliant with the horses, but I didn't know she was doing these things behind my back."
Jordan said she went to the police but did not pursue things because "it was a strain on me and I got pregnant... I got depressed," she said.
The court heard Hillman was never charged with any offences in connection with Ms Price's allegations. The case was adjourned for a further hearing on December 21 and a retrial is expected to take place in March next year.
Hillman, of Cowley Drive, Woodingdean, Brighton, East Sussex, denies three counts of dishonestly failing to give prompt notification of a change of circumstances between June 2003 and January 2006, contrary to the Social Security Administration Act 1992.
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