Met to consider action against detective over jury contact

Metropolitan Police chiefs are considering taking action against a Detective Constable who is alleged to have made improper contact with a jury, leading to the release of three people convicted of fraud. The three had their convictions quashed on Friday at the Court of Appeal after it was alleged that Detective Constable Keith Hughes took members of the jury for drinks after the trial. It was also alleged that his business card had been passed to jurors by a court usher before the trial had ended, and that Mr Hughes had travelled on the same train as several jurors on a number of occasions. Mr Hughes denies that he made contact with them on these occasions. The Crown Prosecution Service first raised the matter with the defendants' lawyers. Defendants Gian Lombardi, Veronica Lombardi and Gianfranco Udovicich had served eight months of their 3-5 year sentences, having been convicted for conspiracy to defraud at Southwark Crown Court last year. The trial lasted seven months and cost £10 million. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said last night: "We will be considering whether or not any disciplinary proceedings are appropriate." (UK, 13/06/2000)