NSW sheriff to investigate juror conduct

A NSW juror on a sex trial allegedly suggested sex predators should be "put down" in a social media post a day before the accused was found guilty.

Another juror is said to have socialised with a witness whose evidence was central to the Crown's case.

The Sheriff of NSW has now been asked to investigate whether one or more jurors in the man's 2016 trial engaged in improper conduct.

The offender, who was jailed for at least two-and-a-half years after being found guilty of sexual intercourse taking advantage of cognitive impairment, sought the investigation in aid of his conviction appeal.

Three Criminal Court of Appeal judges on Friday ruled the matters he raised were capable of causing a reasonable apprehension or suspicion that either or both jurors weren't impartial.

The court requested the sheriff investigate whether they may have engaged in improper conduct "or else whether any irregularity or improper conduct occurred".

The judgment, published on Tuesday, said it appeared from the evidence that one of the jurors posted a statement online before the verdict stating: "When a dog attacks a child it is put down. Shouldn't we do the same with sex predators?"

That juror was also related by marriage to someone who'd accused the offender of sexual assault during a previous trial in which he was acquitted.

The second juror appeared to be well-acquainted with one of the key witnesses in the trial, the judgment said.

Their socialising and drinking had been observed by an "apparently reliable" onlooker.