TWO Bolton jurors have revealed the secrets of the jury room at Deirdre Rachid's trial exclusively to the BEN. Don and Nora Howcroft were among the 12 good men (and women) who held the fate of the unfortunate Coronation Street resident in their hands. And the pair said that on the evidence shown in court Deirdre is GUILTY - without a doubt.

The shock verdict which sent the 'Weatherfield One' down for fraud has caused outrage across the country.

But Don and Nora would not hear of a miscarriage of justice.

"We listened to the defence, the prosecution, all the witnesses and the judge's summing up, and Deirdre was guilty. We did not have to deliberate at all," came Don's revelation. "Jon Lindsay had nothing to gain at all.

"Deirdre had everything to gain - a house, a gold card and so on," added his wife Nora, 58.

Don, 67, explained: "Jon is a nice family man.

"He was taken in by Deirdre, she is very manipulative.

"Deirdre's lawyer did a good job, but the prosecution did a better job!"But doing their duty as good citizens has not reaped the couple many rewards.

They spoke to the BEN of the 'hate' mail they received after the nation learned the devastating outcome of the long-awaited trial.

"We received a note saying: 'To the two jurors. Let Deirdre of the hook or the forsythia tree will get it. From ?'," said Nora. She and her husband believe that Tony Blair would be wrong to back any campaign to free Rachid. "He wasn't there. He didn't hear the evidence," they said.

"And at the end of the day, they proclaim to have a clear conscience, saying: "Justice was done."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.