Jury fails to reach verdict in Norwegian teenager ‘hitman’ trial

Thu Jun 18 2026 18:15:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A jury in Huddersfield could not reach a verdict after a 14‑hour deliberation in the trial of a Norwegian suspect charged with murder for a $21,000 fee.

A jury in Huddersfield could not reach a verdict after a 14‑hour deliberation in the trial of Norwegian teenager Johannes Natland, accused of preparing to kill an unknown target in England for 25 000 euros. Natland had been arrested in March after police seized two guns and 12 live rounds from a hotel. He admitted possession but denied conspiracy, and the Crown seeks a retrial. The judge discharged the jury after nearly 15 hours, a sign that the case will continue with new proceedings. The incident reflects growing concerns over cross‑border crime links between Scandinavian gangs and UK law enforcement.

Jury fails to reach verdict in Norwegian teenager ‘hitman’ trial

Sketch of a young man in courtroom — Johannes Natland was remanded in custody until a retrial can take place.

Three‑hour deliberations and intense argument left the jury unable to reach a unanimous decision in the high‑profile case involving a 19‑year‑old Norwegian teenager alleged to have travelled to England to carry out a murder for a large financial reward.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, who is 19 years old, was accused of agreeing with the Swedish gang known as Foxes to shoot an unknown target for 25,000 euros (£21,500) in March last year.

Two days after arriving in the United Kingdom, armed police swooped on him at a hotel in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and seized two firearms and 12 live bullets.

Natland acknowledged possessing the weapons and ammunition but denied conspiracy to murder. Prosecutors said the Crown would seek a retrial and that he was remanded into custody.

Jury members had left the courtroom early for deliberation after the judge had given them a majority direction. The senior judge discharged the jury after 14 hours and 43 minutes, and the case will revert to court for a new trial.

The saga underscores concerns over the movement of international gang networks and the reach of organised crime into the United Kingdom.