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Tulisa drugs trial case ‘thrown out of court’, judge tells jury Tulisa drugs trial case ‘thrown out of court’, judge tells jury
(35 minutes later)
Tulisa’s trial for allegedly brokering a cocaine deal worth £820 has been thrown out of court, the jury has heard. Tulisa Contostavlos’s trial for allegedly brokering a cocaine deal worth £820 has been thrown out of court, the jury has heard.
The singer had stood accused of boasting that she could “sort out” a large supply of cocaine for an undercover journalist, Mazher ‘Fake Sheikh’ Mahmood.The singer had stood accused of boasting that she could “sort out” a large supply of cocaine for an undercover journalist, Mazher ‘Fake Sheikh’ Mahmood.
It was claimed that she’d put him in touch with her rapper friend Mike GLC, who supplied the Class A drug to Mahmood in May 2013.It was claimed that she’d put him in touch with her rapper friend Mike GLC, who supplied the Class A drug to Mahmood in May 2013.
Mike GLC, real name Michael Coombs, pleaded  guilty last week.Mike GLC, real name Michael Coombs, pleaded  guilty last week.
Mahmood had posed as a wealthy film producer called Samir Khan when he met the former X Factor judge at a string of luxury hotels and restaurants, jurors at London's Southwark Crown Court heard.Mahmood had posed as a wealthy film producer called Samir Khan when he met the former X Factor judge at a string of luxury hotels and restaurants, jurors at London's Southwark Crown Court heard.
Contostavlos had vehemently denied brokering the deal, which was exposed by the Sun on Sunday newspaper in June 2012.Contostavlos had vehemently denied brokering the deal, which was exposed by the Sun on Sunday newspaper in June 2012.
But today (21 July), Judge Alistair McCreath told the jury that the case “cannot go any further” because there were “strong grounds to believe” that Mr Mahmood had “lied” at a hearing before the trial started.But today (21 July), Judge Alistair McCreath told the jury that the case “cannot go any further” because there were “strong grounds to believe” that Mr Mahmood had “lied” at a hearing before the trial started.
The 26-year-old star was seen smiling broadly in the dock as the jury was formally discharged, PA reports.The 26-year-old star was seen smiling broadly in the dock as the jury was formally discharged, PA reports.
“There are strong grounds for believing Mr Mahmood told me lies,” Judge McCreath told the jury.“There are strong grounds for believing Mr Mahmood told me lies,” Judge McCreath told the jury.
 He said that a number of things had happened in the case which had thrown up “considerable considerations” and that the trail could not proceed if the prosecution had been “tainted by some serious misconduct”.  He said that a number of things had happened in the case which had thrown up “considerable considerations” and that the trial could not proceed if the prosecution had been “tainted by some serious misconduct”.
The judge said that he had initially refused the defence’s application to throw out the case, but said that matters had changed.The judge said that he had initially refused the defence’s application to throw out the case, but said that matters had changed.
He recounted jury evidence given by the Mahmood, whose evidence is central to the case.He recounted jury evidence given by the Mahmood, whose evidence is central to the case.
Mahmood could now theoretically face perjury charges.Mahmood could now theoretically face perjury charges.
Michael Coombs’ case was also thrown out. He had pleaded guilty. Michael Coombs’ case was also thrown out.