Ex-cop cleared after ‘CMC witch-hunt’
A FORMER Gold Coast police officer cleared of faking evidence to win a traffic case has claimed he was a victim of a Crime and Misconduct Commission witch-hunt.
David Allan Spedding, 42, lost his job as a Surfers Paradise traffic officer in 2008 after he was accused of making a false statement to the court.
CMC investigators alleged Mr Spedding had intended to deceive the courts by providing photographs of a Surfers Paradise traffic intersection.
The Southport Magistrates Court was told the photos were later revealed to have been taken five months after May 4, 2008, the date he fined driver Anthony Reading for failing to give way at a green light.
Defence lawyer Bill Potts said Mr Spedding was not trying to pervert justice, only to show there was no green arrow at the traffic lights.
Magistrate Michael O’Driscoll upheld Mr Potts’ no case submission and discharged Mr Spedding of one count of attempting to pervert justice.
The magistrate said the photographs were not integral to the case and were simply intended to be used as a ‘visual aide’.
He was satisfied that no jury properly instructed could find the former officer guilty.
“There is insufficient evidence to prove he intended to pervert the course of justice,” he said.
Outside court Mr Spedding said he was vindicated by the result and intended to seek compensation for years of “continual harassment by the CMC”.
“I do believe (the CMC) is trying to justify their position,” he said.
“It’s a continuation of their chase for a pinch and pure waste of tax-payers’ money.”
Mr Spedding, who now resides in central Queensland, said he did not intend to return to the police service and now worked as a firefighter.
Article by: Leah Fineran – GOLD COAST BULLETIN
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