A British juror is to be the first person to be sent to jail for chatting about a drug and corruption trial with a defendant on Facebook.

Justice Igor Judge told Joanne Fraill that she would get a prison term when she is sentenced later in the week. She could get up to two year's porridge. Prosecutors say Fraill and defendant Jamie Sewart chatted on Facebook during the trial last year. Sewart, 34, asked how what the jury was thinking.

According to AP Sewart, 34, was acquitted at that trial but later charged with contempt. Fraill admitted chatting on Facebook and researching the case online while serving on the jury. Defence lawyer Peter Wright said 40-year-old Fraill contacted Sewart because she felt the two had a lot in common. He said that her conduct was not calculated or designed by her to subvert the trial process, although it did.

Sewart had denied contempt but was found guilty on Tuesday by judges at London's High Court. Ironically while Fraill is going to prison, Sewart has received a suspended prison sentence because she has a young child. One of the convicted defendants, wants his sentence overturned on the grounds of jury misconduct.