Ex-detectives cleared of drug corruption

Two retired detectives have been cleared of flushing seized drugs down a toilet in an attempt to encourage a dealer to become an informer.

They were accused of disposing of thousands of pounds worth of drugs so the man would get a lighter sentence.

Ex-Detective Sergeant Leonard Guerard and Christopher Carter, a former detective constable, were cleared by an Old Bailey jury of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and blackmail.

It was the second time the two former police officers had faced charges of drug-related corruption.

Last December they were cleared by a jury of stealing £750,000 worth of the drug ecstasy, during a raid on a shop in west London.

Outside the Old Bailey on Friday the two men, who have since retired from the police force, said the latest charges should never have been brought against them.

Allegations 'nonsense'

Mr Carter said: "We just want to get on with our lives."

Mr Guerard added: "I want to get my brain together again."

Mr Guerard and Mr Carter both have 25 years' service in the police force.

In the latest trial they were accused of flushing 'speed' down a toilet to force drug dealer Kirk Lawrence to turn informant, after raiding his caravan.

Prosecuting, Orlando Pownall said Mr Lawrence fled from the UK, but returned to testify against the pair.

But Mr Guerard and Mr Carter denounced the allegations against them as "nonsense".

The amphetamine claims only came to light last year when colleagues reported them to the internal investigations unit CIB3.

The pair had raided Mr Lawrence's caravan at the Waterside Nurseries, Staines Road, Laleham, Middlesex, on 16 September 1994, looking for drugs and stolen goods.

'Shorter sentences'

They had allegedly found a box with just over 200 grammes of speed, worth about £3,000, hidden in the caravan.

It was taken to Heathrow police station, but only 13.4 grammes of speed was logged by the officers, Mr Lawrence told the court.

"Lawrence agreed to become a police informant," said Mr Pownall. "He felt he had no real alternative."

Mr Guerard allegedly said to another officer: "This is how you get informers. You ditch some of the drugs and the prisoner does not get a long sentence."

Charges dropped

Drug charges were later dropped against Mr Lawrence.

Mr Guerard retired from the force in late 1996, on medical grounds.

Mr Carter retired in 1997 for similar reasons.

Mr Carter, of Ascot, Berkshire and Mr Guerard, from Twickenham in Middlesex, were both acquitted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and blackmail.