Tulisa Contostavlos drugs trial: Jury sworn in for singer's cocaine deal case
The former X Factor judge denies brokering a drug deal
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The prosecution is expected to open its case tomorrow against former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos as she goes on trial for allegedly brokering a drug deal.
The 26-year-old, who rose to fame with N-Dubz, is accused of helping the Sun on Sunday's undercover reporter Mazher Mahmood obtain 0.5oz of cocaine for £860.
It is alleged that Contostavlos told Mr Mahmood, known as the “fake sheikh”, that she could arrange for him to buy the Class A from her friend Michael Coombs, known as rapper Mike GLC.
He pleaded guilty supplying the cocaine at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday.
Coombs, 36, admitted handing it over at the five star Dorchester Hotel in London's exclusive Mayfair district.
Contostavlos, who is on bail, denies involvement with the deal between 20 May and 24 May last year.
The jury of nine men and three women for her trial was sworn in on Tuesday afternoon. It is expected to last more than two weeks.
Before they were selected, jurors were asked if they had any connections to The Sun, Sun on Sunday, the Sunday Times, or any other News UK enterprise “that would make it difficult for you to be objective and fair” in the case.
The judge, Alistair McCreath, warned the jury not to discuss the case outside court or be swayed by the fact the defendant is in the public eye.
He added: “She was a professional singer and she had been a judge on the X Factor. She is somebody who is famous.
"The upshot of that is that if you do mention this case to anybody they are bound to say something about what they think."
The case will continue on Wednesday morning at Southwark Crown Court.
Additional reporting by PA