Watching the Detectives.....................

Tuesday 19 April 2011

Pc accused of lying to help his lover


A Strathclyde Police officer has gone on trial accused of lying in a bid to help to protect his lover.

Pc Steven Smith, 30, from Stepps, North Lanarkshire, is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice between February and March 2007.

It is alleged he lied to another officer who was trying to track down his partner, 34-year-old David Brydon, in connection with a robbery.

Pc Smith denies the charge and another of abusing police data systems.

Pc Pamela Grubb told Glasgow Sheriff Court that she had been looking for Mr Brydon for over a year, after a member of the public reported that he had stolen his wallet.

The officer put out a request on the Police National Computer for anyone who came into contact with him to report it to her.

She received an e-mail from Pc Smith in March 2007 which stated: "Regarding the alleged theft and suspect Brydon, the suspect attended Glasgow City Centre Police Office this evening.

“He said I wasn't to worry and a day or so later he told me that he had sent an email. He said he had sorted it”

"I've questioned him regarding this incident and he stated that he knows the complainer through a friend but does not know his address or ever been in his house and has no knowledge of any theft.

"Hope this is enough to finalise your crime report."

PC Grubb said that as a result of this, the case was closed as there were no other avenues of investigation.
Jurors also heard from Mr Brydon who said that he met Pc Smith at a gay night at the Tunnel nightclub in Glasgow.

The witness claimed that within a short time of them seeing each other, Pc Smith told him that he had done a check on him and there was an outstanding warrant in relation to road traffic offences.

Mr Brydon said that he then handed himself in for these offences and spent three weeks in Barlinnie Prison.

He told the court that during this time he was still involved with Pc Smith and received numerous visits, phone calls and love letters from him.

In one letter, Pc Smith wrote: "I just want to take you away from this and I get myself upset and angry because I can't."

E-mail claim
 
Another one stated: "No-one or thing is going to get in between our relationship."
Mr Brydon told the court that when he came out of prison, Pc Smith told him that Pc Grubb was looking to speak him.

He said he told the officer that he had nothing to do with the theft.

Mr Brydon said: "He (PC Smith) said I wasn't to worry and a day or so later he told me that he had sent an e-mail. He said he had sorted it."

He denied ever being interviewed by Pc Smith and also denied feeling any bitterness that his six-month relationship with the officer had ended badly.

Pc Smith is on trial accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He also faces a charge under the data protection act for accessing police systems to check on Mr Brydon for non-policing purposes.

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