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UK: More west Midlands police corruption

01 September 1994

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Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been paid in bribes to police officers from the West Midlands constabulary, according to an edition of the television programme World in Action in September. The evidence, which included taped conversations, came from a former West Midlands police officer, David Wilkinson, and a local criminal, David Harris. They allege that sums of up to £45,000 were paid to police officers to have convictions overturned or reduced to non-custodial sentences. Details of the allegations have been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions and an inquiry by Leicestershire police is expected to end shortly.

The World in Action allegations are only the latest in a series of corruption claims against the force that led to their Serious Crime Squad being disbanded in 1989. Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been paid in compensation to the twenty men who have had their convictions quashed.

The latest awards include £50,000 damages for David Treadway, who made a confession to a series of armed robberies after being tortured by officers from the Crime Squad. The award was made by Mr Justice McKinnon, at Birmingham Crown Court, after he heard that Treadway had a plastic bag forced over his head until he lost consciousness. When he recovered another bag was placed over his head until he admitted his guilt. Describing the treatment of Treadway as "nothing less than torture" McKinnon went on to describe the events as "oppressive, cynical and unacceptable."

A second case, in September, saw Delroy Hare, who had served six years in prison for a robbery, awarded nearly £100,000 in settlement of his miscarriage of justice claim.

The West Midlands force is also facing a separate investigation by the Police Complaints Authority following allegations that they used an agent provocateur to get convictions against innocent men.

Guardian 29.7.94, World in Action 12.9.94.; Independent 15.9.94, Observer 25.9.94.

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