Racing probe officer denies lying

Miles Rodgers' restaurant was bugged, the jury heard

The detective heading an inquiry into an alleged race-fixing scam has denied giving misleading information to get permission to bug one of the accused.

But Det Insp Mark Manning confirmed the details he supplied about the scale of the alleged conspiracy were wrong.

He said initially he mistakenly believed alleged lead mover Miles Rodgers had made a profit of £2m.

Six men, including six-times champion jockey Kieren Fallon, deny taking part in a conspiracy.

Under cross-examination by Peter Kelson QC for Mr Rodgers, Mr Manning said he passed on the incorrect figure to South Yorkshire Police who had to authorise any covert surveillance devices.

The trial has heard that instead of a profit of £2m, Mr Rodgers had actually spent a total £2m laying bets.

'Layer of lies'

The jury have heard that the alleged conspirators actually made a net loss.

The court was told that Mr Manning mentioned a £2m profit figure when he sought permission from the chief constable of South Yorkshire to put bugging devices in Mr Rodgers' car and restaurant in Penistone, near Sheffield.

Mr Kelson claimed Mr Manning had deliberately misrepresented the scale of the conspiracy in order to get permission for the bugs.

But Mr Manning said: "I honestly believed that the figure I was giving was correct and I believe that even if I had given the correct figure he would have granted permission.

"There was no need for it to be embellished."

Mr Kelson accused Mr Manning of creating "a layer of lies", but Mr Manning denied ever lying and said: "I passed it on in good faith."

Mr Fallon, 42, of Tipperary, Republic of Ireland; Mr Rodgers, 38, from Silkstone, South Yorkshire; Mr Lynch, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland; Mr Lynch's brother Fergal, 29, from Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire; Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire; and Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, all deny conspiracy to defraud.

Mr Rodgers has also pleaded not guilty to concealing the proceeds of crime.

The trial continues.