I think the same thing would have happened in the US. (The juror being jailed for contempt, I mean.) And I totally approve.

However, I have doubts about a couple of other details in the story.

"The judges refused Dallas permission to appeal to the Supreme Court."--In the US, the Supreme court itself decides which cases it will hear. I don't think a lesser court can prohibit anyone from filing an appeal.

"...the man had previously been accused and acquitted of rape. He was re-tried in October last year, convicted and jailed."--Isn't there any prohibition against double jeopardy in British law? In the US, an acquittal is final. (Some cases can be retried, such as when a jury can't reach a unanimous decision, but those aren't called "acquittals.")