Ex-JJB boss 'loaned £3m from retail entrepreneurs'

She said Sir David was appointed by a board who must have thought he would be a "good man at the helm".

"He was a man respected in the industry - well known as a retailer of good repute," she said.

The prosecutor told the jury: "Unfortunately, what the board of JJB did not know was that Sir David Jones was heavily in debt, possibly due to gambling, and he would, just after his appointment, take out substantial loans from two people who could be regarded as JJB competitors."

Miss Jones only got 20 minutes into her opening statement before Sir David needed a break for medication.

Judge Guy Kearl QC explained to the seven women and five men on the jury that the defendant suffers from Parkinson's disease.

The judge said this explained his involuntary movements as he sat in the dock. He said it also explained why the court would be sitting unusually short hours for the duration of the trial.

Sir David sat in the dock supported by his son, Stuart, who is also on trial.

Sir David, 71, of Ilkley, West Yorkshire, denies two charges of making a misleading statement, contrary to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and one of using a false instrument, contrary to the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.

Stuart Jones, 39, of Bingley, West Yorkshire, denies one charge of aiding and abetting his father's use of a false instrument.

The judge later adjourned the case until Wednesday. He told the jury that Sir David was not able to follow what was happening in the case due to his condition.

Judge Kearl said: "There will be times when he's simply unable to follow the course of proceedings. When that happens, it's not right, it's not fair, it's not proper to continue the trial at this stage. I emphasise, this is not his fault. It is the fault of the condition he has."

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