Judge throws out case against QPR fans accused of pub brawl By Greg BurnsSep 27 2012 Add a commentRecommend inShare.0 Share on emailShare on printA JUDGE has thrown out the prosecution of three men alleged to have been involved in a fight between QPR and Bristol City supporters outside a Shepherd's Bush pub. The three were cleared at Isleworth Crown Court this week when the prosecution failed to submit key evidence that could have cleared them of the charges of affray and possession of an offensive weapon during a fight outside the British Queen pub, in Uxbridge Road, on January 3 last year. They were Anthony Gostelow, Edward Beggan and Nicholas Philbert. The charges arose from a street brawl when City fans stormed the pub armed with bottles and were met by QPR fans armed with planks of wood, the court had heard earlier. The case turned on council CCTV footage and two police âspottersâ, familiar with known troublemakers, who identified the trio. But the three men denied it was them on the film clips. The trial had been adjourned in February after three days when a cross-examination of officers raised concerns about the non-disclosure of key evidence, which could have cleared the defendants. It was revealed that the prosecution had failed to submit a statement by another police spotter who said the three men in the clip were not the defendants. Judge Edmunds threw out the case on Friday and raised concerns about the prosecutionâs actions. He said: âThis is a case where the disclosure process involving the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the prosecution has failed not once, but repeatedly. âA proper and effective disclosure process is critical to securing the opportunity to prepare a defence and parity of conditions for the examination of witnesses. âI remain perplexed that this has not occurred. âThere has been a long-standing failure adequately to address disclosure that convinces me that to permit the case to proceed would have an adverse effect on the integrity of the justice system.â Speaking after the case Richard Gowthorpe, partner of Lansbury Worthington Solicitors who defended one of the accused, cirticised the Crown Prosecution Service over the shambles. He said: âOur client has been a life-long supporter of QPR and always contested this case. âThe CPS had two attempts to put our client on trial and on both occasions things came to light in the middle of each as a result of non-disclosure of vital evidence. âOur barrister William Paynter had to cross-examine police officers and eventually the truth came out. Itâs all about fairness and the court and the jury have to have possession of the full facts. âIf things remain hidden, then having a fair trial becomes almost impossible. The CCTV images were grainy and police officers who knew what our client looked like could not identify him. âThat speaks volumes and it is information we should have had a long time before the trial.â A spokesman for the CPS said: âThis was an unfortunate oversight which wasnât done in bad faith, a fact the judge made clear in his judgement. We accept the comments of the judge. CPS London is very aware of its obligations to ensure that material is disclosed in a timely manner and is striving on an ongoing basis to improve our performance in this important area. âWhere there are issues we will look into the cause to see if there are any lessons to be learned.â Read More http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/fu...news/2012/09/27/82029-31921459/#ixzz27k2khHrs
Another case of the police covering their own backs...I am not putting it in anyway the same sphere as Hillsborough...but it is the same mentality....Blame some "football louts" anyone , maybe some with a little previous...who cares because they ARE hooligans, Some other policeman says actually its not them...and his evidence is pushed under the carpet. And no it wasn't me
