A Crown Prosecution Service clerk trading in polic

A Crown Prosecution Service clerk trading in police secrets tried to identify 33 informants to a notorious crime family, an Old Bailey jury heard today.

(Weds)

Administration officer Mark Herbert, 31, was allegedly paid to give highly confidential and sensitive information to London’s infamous Adams family.

He passed on barrister’s advice on prosecuting the gang’s associates through nightclub bouncer, Kevin Sumer, 41, it was claimed.

Herbert also copied a list of the 33 names, which was typed and and ready to go to the crime bosses before police intervened, the court was told.

Mr Victor Temple, QC prosecuting said: ‘It needs little imagination to anticpate what might happen if the names of such people were to fall into the wrong hands, such as criminals yet to be arrested or criminals who had an interest in suppressing or neutralising their activities.

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He added Herbert knew all about the Adams, particularly three brothers Terry.

Tommy and Patrick whose ‘notoriety was in the public domain.

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‘In summary, that family, together with their associates formed themselves into a formidable and feared organisation, steeped in the highest levels of criminal activity.

‘The Crown say Mr Herbert knew precisely what type of organisation was represented by the Adams family and their associates.

‘He knew full well that they were dangerous and violent and influential in criminal circles.

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Mr Temple added: ‘As we shall see, Herbert’s arrogance and greed were to get the better of him.

It is the Crown’s case he willingly aligned himself to the family’s cause.

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The court heard Herbert had joined the CPS in 1993 but could not make ends meet on his pnds stlg 14,000 salary.

He was crippled by debt and had to moonlight at Options nightclub in Kingston, Surrey a job which Mr Temple said ‘suited his temperament and build.

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His direct boss was Kevin Sumer, a close friend of Billy Isaacs, who had connections with the family, the court heard.

Herbert was ‘a braggart’ and quickly boasted to Sumer of his work at CPS officer in Ludgate Circus, yards away from the Old Bailey.

Although he was in a relatively low position in the organisation, Herbert had access to the CPS database which gave crucial and secret details on Scotland Yard’s biggest operations.

‘Sumer realised the potential value of tapping into Herbert and exploiting the confidential information,’ said Mr Temple

But police acting on information had Sumer and Isaacs under surveillance when they met at Heston Services on the M4 on August 13, 1998.

Sumer arrived with a plastic bag full of information supplied by Herbert, it was claimed.

After a conversation about ‘Terry and Tommy,’ Isaacs left with the carrier bag, it was alleged.

The pair met again the following month at the same venue as Tommy Adams stood trial on drugs charges for which later received seven and a half years in jail.

When police arrested Sumer they found two lists lists of the 33 names which he had asked a friend to type – one in his car and one in his jacket pocket.

Herbert of Amyand Park Road, Twickenham, Middlesex and Sumer, of Brentlea, Brentford, Middlsex both deny conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The CPS official also denies corruption in receiving pnds stlg 500 for information and two charges of illegally disclosing information.

Sumer pleads not guilty to two charges of aiding and abetting him to illegally disclose information.

The trial continues.

ends