Court clerk first to be prosecuted under Bribery Act
A London magistrates’ court employee has become the first person to be prosecuted under the new Bribery Act, the Crown Prosecution Service said today.
Munir Yakub Patel, an administrative clerk at Redbridge Magistrates’ Court in Ilford, London, faces a charge under Section 2 of the 2010 Act for requesting and receiving a bribe intending to improperly perform his functions.
It is alleged that Patel promised an individual summonsed for a motoring offence that he could influence the outcome of the criminal proceedings in exchange for £500, on 1 August 2011.
Gaon Hart, reviewing lawyer for the CPS special crime and counter terrorism Division, said: ‘I have reviewed all of the evidence gathered by the police and considered the Director of Public Prosecution’s guidelines on the Bribery Act.’
He said: ‘I am satisfied there is sufficient evidence to charge Munir Patel with requesting and receiving a bribe on 1 August 2011 intending to improperly perform his functions.’
Hart added: ‘Patel has already been charged with misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice. He still faces these charges, which relate to other alleged misconduct during his employment.’
Patel appeared at the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 4 August in relation to charges of misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice.
Those charges, which are indictable only, have been sent to Southwark Crown Court on 14 October, when the Bribery Act charge will also be put to him. He will enter his plea at that stage.
Patel was remanded in custody.
Comments
PAR FOR THE COURSE IN REDBRIDGE!
It is hardly surprising - let's remember back to the unlawful killing of a mentally ill man at the hands of police officers in Barkingside police station - the findings of the auditors Coopers and Lybrand on the maladminstration of council funds and let's look at how Mr Bullivant was labelled a terrorist with his life in tatters, and yet his photo REMAINED outside the same police station almost two years later if it is not there still!! Let's look at the young man whose uncle or family member I remember, he was featured in the Recorder, was set upon by police battered within an inch of his life rupturing his spleen later removed in hospital, on their presumption of him being a wanted man/terrorist/god himself knows what!
Our Mp Lee Scott needs to wake up and move up with some control of these people - quite frankly I was glad to see the back of the place.
In Redbridge what changes?!