November 08, 2011
The Bribery Act 2010 claimed its first victim this week after a former court worker was convicted under the new law.
This week, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that former magistrates’ court administrative Munir Patel pleaded guilty today to bribery and misconduct in public office.
Mr Patel admitted accepting a bribe in connection with a speeding charge at Southwark Crown Court after requesting and receiving £500 in exchange for “getting rid” of a speeding charge for an acquaintance.
"This prosecution is the first of its kind under the Bribery Act 2010, which has provided a significant weapon in the armoury of prosecutors that enables us to focus on the bribery element rather than general misconduct behaviour,” said Gaon Hart, Senior Crown Advocate for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division.
“We will continue to target those who act corruptly purely for personal gain and tailor the charge to reflect their wrongdoing."
According to the court, The Sun newspaper filmed Mr Patel arranging the bribe with Jayraj Singh, who had been given a speeding penalty. Patel will be sentenced on 11 November 2011 at Southwark Crown Court.
"Public corruption is an extremely serious offence that undermines public faith in the integrity of those who work in the criminal justice system,” added Mr Hart. "Public servants are required to act with integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality but Patel's actions could not have been further from each of these.
