A JUDGE has ordered a re-trial of two men who deny causing the death of a Swansea taxi driver by dangerous driving.

Nathan Edward Hunt and Michael Paul Davies went on trial at Swansea Crown Court on Monday.

But Judge Christopher Morton stopped the hearing for legal reasons on its third day and discharged the jury.

He then directed that the trial should begin again before a different jury on February 15.

Hunt, aged 23, of The Meadows, Cimla, Neath, and Davies, aged 20, of Heol y Fran, Morriston, Swansea, are accused of causing the death of cabbie Martin Leigh Grifiths by driving dangerously along the A483 — Fabian Way — shortly before midnight on February 7. Mr Griffiths was heading home to Swansea when his taxi was struck by one of two cars that were allegedly racing each other towards the M4 along the opposite carriageway.

He died instantly when his cab was hit by a Peugeot 106 that became airborne after mounting the central reservation at a point between the Amazon roundabout and the turn-off to the motorway.

According to the prosecution, the fatality happened when Hunt lost control of the Peugeot during a high-sped race along the eastbound carriageway with a Citroen Saxo being driven by Davies. The defence case, however, is that the defendants were not racing each other when the collision occurred.

Evidence was halted on day two of the trial when Judge Morton agreed that "certain matters" had to be investigated before the case could continue.

Releasing the jury of seven men and five women on Tuesday afternoon, the judge said court officials would phone them to tell them when next to attend.

But yesterday, after discussing legal matters with barristers, he discharged the jury in their absence and ordered a re-trial.

He also directed that the discharged jurors should be told the case had been stopped "for legal reasons".

Hunt and Davies are both on bail.