A POLICE constable pocketed thousands of pounds a week after setting up an illegal ice-cream stand near the Tate Modern gallery and bribing council officials to turn a blind eye, a court was told yesterday.
PC Christopher Keenan, 39, established the business with James McCall, a hot-dog and ice-cream vendor, in his own patrol area in the busy South Bank area of London.
The two men allegedly paid thousands of pounds for temporary licences and favours from two Southwark Council officials: Anthony Whittaker, 61, a market inspector, and Leslie Armstrong, 45, a street-trading manager.
Michael Holland, for the prosecution, told Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court in London that Mr McCall set up “on the quiet” with the Metropolitan policeman’s help after street trading was banned.
Mr Keenan allegedly bought the van at a cost of £3,000.
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One of the beat officer’s duties was to help the council to enforce the ban, but Mr Keenan would tip off Mr McCall if a council raid was planned to help him escape seizure of their van and equipment, said the barrister.
Mr Keenan, of Sevenoaks, Kent, Mr Whittaker, of Sidcup, Kent, and Ms Armstrong, of Chadwell Heath, Essex, each deny one count of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by taking steps to thwart the prosecution of illegal traders between May 1, 2000 and November 28, 2003.
They all further deny one count of conspiracy to corrupt an officer of a public body. Mr McCall, 42, has admitted his part in the deception.
The trial, which is expected to last six weeks, continues.