Detective 'helped launder money'

A detective sergeant in the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NICS) helped money launderers raise money using a forged bond, a jury has heard.

Det Sgt William McKelvie, 44, of Esher, Surrey was enlisted by former policeman Robert Miles, 48, of Towcester, Northants, Southwark Crown Court heard.

It is alleged they helped the gang raise funds with a forged £275m draft, supposedly from the Ford Motor Company.

Mr McKelvie denies seven charges and Mr Miles denies five charges.

Andrew Wheeler, prosecuting, said the pair were both police officers in Clapham in the 1980s before Mr Miles left the service in 1989.

'Corrupt' detective

While living in Marbella, Spain, Mr Miles had been enlisted by the gang of English money launderers and fraudsters to help them raise funds using the forged draft.

Mr Wheeler said Mr Miles in turn enlisted Mr McKelvie, who was head of the West African organised crime section of NCIS.

Mr McKelvie was an "extremely capable, experienced and highly thought-of officer", he said.

But with his experience he must have realised "from the start" the draft was a forgery.

The forged document at the centre of the case was described as a bond, cheque or draft for $500m (£275m) which obliged Ford to pay that sum.

Mr Wheeler said the case against Mr McKelvie was about "the corruption of a British police officer".

Inquiry 'prejudiced'

He alleged Mr McKelvie made inquiries to establish "beyond doubt" that the draft was bogus and that he had told Mr Miles this both in writing and orally.

When he became aware that the NCIS were investigating the group for suspected money laundering, Mr McKelvie told Mr Miles who then tipped off his associates.

Mr Wheeler told the jury on Wednesday that the investigation was "seriously prejudiced" and the officers within it were put at risk.

The alleged offences cover a period from January 2003 to September 2004.

Mr McKelvie denies five charges of misconduct in a public office, one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and one of intent to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Miles denies three charges of aiding and abetting Mr McKelvie to commit misconduct, one of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and one of intent to pervert the course of justice.

The case continues.