Former PSNI officers accused of perverting course justice

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26354486

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Three former police officers are facing charges of perverting the course of justice.

Thomas Geoffrey Ellis, 49, faces two charges. Harry McMahon, 45, and David Power, 45, each face one charge.

Although all three have since been dismissed, their addresses were given as PSNI stations.

The charges involve Mr McMahon allegedly removing contents from a locker belonging to Mr Ellis from Cookstown PSNI station in July 2012.

Mr Ellis is accused of procuring Mr McMahon to commit the offence and conspiring to pervert the course of justice, by having the locker contents removed.

Mr Power is accused of conspiring with another to pervert the course of justice.

Dungannon Magistrates' Court was not told the nature of the contents in question, and none of the accused were present for the short hearing.

All three were serving PSNI sergeants at the time the alleged offences were committed. Mr Ellis was stationed in Cookstown, Mr McMahon in Dungannon, and Mr Power at Sprucefield.

They were all suspended from duty during investigations and dismissed last month.

The case was listed for formal committal to crown court, but defence barristers for each of the accused, sought an adjournment.

A defence barrister appearing for Mr Power stated he intended to make submissions in respect of his client, contending there is insufficient evidence.

District Judge John Meehan ordered the case to be adjourned for review on 12 March.

All three were granted legal aid.