A CORPORAL in the Island Special Constabulary Force, who plotted with a man to have him arrested so that the man would not have to return the $35,000 he had taken from another man who wanted to buy a gun, has lost his appeal against his conviction for wilful neglect of duty.
He is Neville Williams, who was fined $4,000 after he was convicted on March 29, 2000.
Special Constable Owen Porter, who was convicted along with Williams and also fined $4,000 for wilful neglect of duty, however, won his appeal Thursday.
The court said it was its view that the conduct of the two policemen "does not befit the Constabulary Force".
Steve Brown, the main witness for the Crown, had testified that on September 22, 1995 he was in a bar in Franklyn Town when a man, whom he knew as 'Ever', approached him and said he wanted to buy a gun. Brown said he agreed to get the gun for 'Ever'.
He was given $35,000 to buy the gun, but it was never his intention to supply 'Ever' with any gun. He said his intention was to defraud 'Ever'. He said the following day he went to Harmon Barracks, where he told Williams of his plan. Williams arranged with two other policemen, including Porter, to have him (Brown) arrested to scare off 'Ever' so he would not come back for a refund of his money. The policemen charged Brown with illegal possession of ammunition, but the case against him was not pursued.
ARREST
Investigations led to the arrest of Williams and Porter for charges of wilful neglect of duty, in that they failed to perform their duties as police officers by not conducting investigations into whether a breach of the law was about to be committed based on the report which Brown had made. They were also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, but were freed of that charge.
