Two detectives cleared

Press, 21 October 1983, Page 6

Two detectives cleared

NZPA-Reuter London

Two British detectives who shot an innocent, unarmed man whom they mistook for a dangerous gunman were cleared by a jury yesterday of all charges in the case. John Jardine, aged 38, was acquitted at the Old Bailey of attempting to murder a film editor, Stephen Waldorf, and of deliberately wounding him in January. Peter Finch, aged 38, was

cleared of shooting and pis-tol-whipping Mr Waldorf with intent to cause serious injury. A charge of attempted murder against Finch was dropped on the judge’s orders during the six-day trial. Mr Waldorf, aged 27, was ambushed and riddled with bullets as his car sat in London traffic. He recovered after emergency surgery. Both detectives had said they mistook Mr Waldorf for a gunman, David Mar-

tin, then Britain’s most wanted fugitive, and opened fire believing the suspect was armed and would shoot first.

Martin was jailed for 25 years last week on charges which included shooting a police officer. The London Police Federation chairman, Mr John Newman, said he was “thrilled to bits” with the verdict. He said he would now campaign to end the arming of police.