A DETECTIVE has said protecting the identities of two undercover officers who posed as scrap thieves is “imperative” to the case against scrapyard staff accused of turning a blind eye to suspicious metal.
The prosecution at Oxford Crown Court alleges that the five defendants accepted metal, despite suspecting the two men were thieves.
Peter Stage, defending Simon Rogers, has accused Det Sgt John Easton and his fellow officers of a “conspiracy” to try to show TR Rogers & Sons, in Nuneham Courtenay, was willing to accept stolen metal.
Yesterday he asked the detective: “Do you think you think you are playing up the need to protect the identities of the undercover officers?”
Det Sgt Easton replied: “I believe that protecting the identities of the undercover officers is one of the most imperative things in this case.”
Judge Ian Pringle warned Mr Stage he had already ruled their identities must be protected.
Mr Stage said: “Sorry your honour, I shouldn’t have gone there.”
The defendants are: Terence Rogers, 70, of High Street, Drayton St Leonard; Simon Rogers, 42, of Bromsgrove, Faringdon; Martin Pace, 36, of Abbott Road, Didcot; Ian Marshall, 29, of Evenlode Drive, Berinsfield, and Darren Andrews, 34, of Colwell Road, Berinsfield.
The case continues.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article