Cops’ drug evidence ‘was a work of fiction’

Two serving police officers accused of fabricating evidence about a man who was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs has appeared in court.

Andrew Holdaway, 35, and John Murphy, 47, falsified their statements about Mohammed Qasem spitting a drug called ‘Khat’ into a testing bag on the roadside by Heathrow airport, it is claimed.

Mr Qasem was pulled over by the two officers after they spotted him driving erratically through the airport tunnel on 19 November 2012.

He was subsequently convicted for driving while unfit to do so, yet on his appeal, CCTV footage from the police station emerged allegedly showing he was still chewing the substance, which was legal at the time.

Khat was banned in the UK in June 2014.

The plant-based stimulant is popular in north-east Africa and the Middle East.

PC Murphy is charged with perverting the course of justice, allegedly providing false oral testimony about the incident and encouraging Holdaway to falsify the date of his witness statement.

Special Constable Holdaway is charged with the same count, having allegedly falsified his witness statement on Murphy’s orders, and changing the date it was made.

Prosecutor Heath Jamal said there are ‘inconsistencies as to what happened at the road side and at the police station’.

Dressed in suits and wearing poppies, the two officers spoke only to confirm their name and address at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Both are currently serving officers, with Holdaway based at Uxbridge Police Station, and Murphy at Heathrow.

Mr Jamal said: ‘In November 2012 the complainant Mohammed Qasem, was driving the car through a tunnel at Heathrow Airport.

‘At the time John Murphy was a PC and Mr Haldaway a special constable.

‘They observed him driving erratically and decided to stop him.

‘It turns out he was chewing on Khat. At the time it was not an illegal substance, but became so in June 2014.

‘The officers said he had red eyes and was unfit to drive.

‘They claim they asked him to spit the Khat into an evidence bag and took him to a police station.

‘He was charged and found guilty. He appealed and at that time CCTV evidence was seen that contradicted the statements given by the officers.

‘There’s inconsistencies as to what happened at the road side and at the police station.’

Murphy and Holdaway will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on 7 December.

District Judge Margot Coleman said: ‘You face a trial which can only be tried at a crown court.

‘You have appeared here today and I’m placing each of you on bail.’

Holdaway, of Warrick Place, Uxbridge, and Murphy, of Bath Road, West Drayton, are charged with one count of perverting the course of justice.