Field trial jury retires

Former MP Taito Phillip Field will have to wait until next week to find out if he is guilty of criminal charges.

The jury considering Field's guilt on 35 charges retired for the night at 4.35pm and will resume deliberations on Monday morning.

Justice Rodney Hansen reminded the six women and four men of the jury it was critically important not to speak to anybody else about the case over the weekend.

Jurors began deliberations about 12.35pm yesterday and have been considering the case for about 11 hours.

Field faces 12 charges of bribery and corruption as an MP, alleging he accepted work on his homes from Thai tradesmen in return for giving them immigration help.

He also faces 23 charges of wilfully attempting to obstruct or pervert the course of justice, alleging he tried to derail investigations into his dealings with the Thai tradesmen.

The trial before Justice Rodney Hansen is into its 15th week.

- NZPA