Officer on trial for false statements

Published on 31/10/2012 12:00

A SERVING policeman has gone on trial accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice and asking a fellow constable to give false evidence.

Jason Beck, a community officer, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court, after being prosecuted over a drugs bust at the home of Christopher Nisbet in Whitburn, West Lothian, on April 28, 2010.

Beck, 40, denies submitting a report to the Procurator Fiscal on April 29 and a statement on August 23 saying another officer was present when Nisbet surrendered cannabis to him.

He also denies approaching another officer in Whitburn Police Station car park asking him to give evidence that he was present when the drugs were handed over.

He faces two charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and one of attempting to suborn another officer.

Sheriff Graeme Fleming QC adjourned the trial until January.

Mr Nisbet had pleas of not guilty to two charges of drug possession accepted by the Crown on November 11, 2010.