THE jury in the trial of a teenager accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a man when he stabbed him in the face has been allowed to consider a majority verdict.

A 16-year-old from Basingstoke, who cannot be named due to legal reasons, is currently on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Judge Susan Evans QC this morning (Thursday) advised the jury that she would now accept a majority verdict, which means that at least 10 of the 11 jurors have to agree.

The judge said: “I can now accept a verdict that is not the verdict of you all, but it must be a verdict which at least 10 of you are all agreed.”

The incident took place in an alleyway on January 12, this year, after the victim was returning from the One Stop, in Popley.

The teenager has already pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and possessing a bladed article in a public place but faces a charge of wounding with intent.

The jury is continuing its deliberations.