Detectives In Dock

Northern Advocate, 5 June 1947, Page 7

Detectives In Dock

(Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 4. Detective-Sergeants Albert Edwin Compton and Harry Gordon Cooper, both 37| were charged at Bow Street Court today with having, between December 1, 1946, and February 1, 1947, conspired to steal from persons whom they purported to interview in the course of official duties. Mr Anthony Hawke, for the prosecution. said Compton and Cooper were members of th'c Flying Squad. Their duties included interviewing persons suspected of dealing in stolen property and contraband. The evidence, if right, disclosed that accused atrociously abused their powers and committed offences against the criminal laws. There were four cases in which the aaccused interviewed people and searched their premises. VICTIMS NOT CHARGED The persons interviewed in three cases were told to produce what money they had. Compton seized it and put it in his pocket, or other receptacle with other valuables. The two men then left the premises. The victim heard nothing more and was not charged. Speaking with a foreign accent, the first witness said Compton and Cooper called on him in December, 1946. They said the customs and excise had sent them to look for uncustomed goods. v They searched him and his flat for half an hour.

Compton took witness’ wife into a bathroom and searched her.

GAVE THEM £IOO

Another man, who had come to buy a watch from witness, went outside with Compton and when he returned said that if witness paid accused money the matter would be forgotten. The second man gave them £IOO and they left, taking two attache cases containing witness’ watches, fancy goods, sun-glasses and bracelets.

Witness valued the watches at £SOO to £6OO.

The hearing was adjourned to June 12. Bail was refused.