The Brighton Police Scandal: A Story of Corruption, Intimidation & Violence

by Dick Kirby

Overview

In the late 1950s the reputation of Brighton as a popular seaside resort took a sinister and notorious turn.

After a series of drunken disturbances, suspicions were raised that the owner of the Astor Club, which became known globally as ‘The Bucket of Blood’, was bribing members of the town’s CID to ignore licensing hours.

The situation escalated to the point where Scotland Yard’s Flying Squad was called in. Their investigation soon revealed that these bribes were the tip of a police corruption iceberg. Criminality among crooked cops had been going on for years. Provided money was paid, charges were dropped, previous convictions overlooked and evidence disappeared. Others were ‘fitted up’ unless they paid up. Police were party to burglaries, assisting in the ‘fencing’ of stolen property and protection payments from bookmakers, clubs, and bars.

During the scandal filled trial of the Chief Constable and CID ringleaders there was perjury, violent witness intimidation with one having his premises burnt to the ground. All this and more is described in this meticulously researched account of one of Britain’s most publicized police corruption scandals written with insider knowledge.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399017299
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/04/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Dick Kirby was born in the East End of London and joined the Metropolitan Police in 1967. Half of his twenty-six years’ service was spent with Scotland Yard’s Serious Crime Squad and the Flying Squad.Kirby contributes to newspapers and magazines on a regular basis, as well as appearing on television and radio. The Guv’nors, The Sweeney, Scotland Yard’s Ghost Squad, Brave Line Death on the Beat, Scourge of Soho, Crime and Corruption at The Yard and London Gangs at War are all published under the Wharncliffe True Crime imprint and he has further other published works to his credit. On retirement he lives near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Kirby can be visited at his website: www.dickkirby.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements xi

Preface xiii

Introduction xvii

Part I Arriving

Chapter 1 The Slimy Conman 3

Chapter 2 The Bucket of Blood 9

Chapter 3 Protection - at a Price 19

Chapter 4 Abortionists and Burglars 25

Chapter 5 An Informant and a Receiver 31

Chapter 6 The Lorry-load of Snout 37

Chapter 7 A Wild Goose Chase 41

Chapter 8 Undercover Work and Search Warrants 45

Chapter 9 Call in Scotland Yard! 49

Chapter 10 Helping Police with their Enquiries 55

Chapter 11 Questions - Pointed Ones - are Asked 61

Chapter 12 Arrests 65

Chapter 13 A New Appointment 71

Chapter 14 Court Appearance - and Threats 75

Chapter 15 Alan Bennett Speaks out … 81

Chapter 16 … and so does Wenche Bennett 85

Chapter 17 More Fuel for the Fire 89

Chapter 18 The Receiver's Version 93

Chapter 19 Stolen Consignments 97

Chapter 20 Dynamite Evidence 101

Chapter 21 Committal 107

Chapter 22 The Trial Commences 111

Chapter 23 'Brighton Police Were Crooked' 115

Chapter 24 '£5 Notes in a Newspaper' 121

Chapter 25 An Unwelcome Visitor 125

Chapter 26 'A Gentlemen's Agreement' 127

Chapter 27 The Close of the Prosecution 131

Chapter 28 Heath's Defence 137

Chapter 29 Three More Defences 141

Chapter 30 Ridge's Defence 145

Chapter 31 Final Speeches 151

Chapter 32 The Judge's Summing-up 161

Chapter 33 The Verdicts and Sentences 165

Part II Leaving

Chapter 34 The Aftermath 171

Chapter 35 Page's Downfall 177

Chapter 36 Some Went on to Greater Heights … 185

Chapter 37 … and Others Didn't 189

Chapter 38 A Fall from Grace 195

Chapter 39 Conclusions and Suppositions 205

Epilogue 211

Bibliography 213

Index 215