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Perjury man makes bullying claim Police 'bullied' man into lying
(about 3 hours later)
A key witness in one of Britain's most notorious miscarriages of justice was "bullied" into lying by police, Cardiff Crown Court has heard.A key witness in one of Britain's most notorious miscarriages of justice was "bullied" into lying by police, Cardiff Crown Court has heard.
Mark Grommek is accused of giving false evidence against two of five men charged with stabbing to death prostitute Lynette White, 20 in 1988.Mark Grommek is accused of giving false evidence against two of five men charged with stabbing to death prostitute Lynette White, 20 in 1988.
The prosecution told the jury how Mr Grommek was "cajoled (by police) into signing... a tissue of lies."The prosecution told the jury how Mr Grommek was "cajoled (by police) into signing... a tissue of lies."
He denies three charges of perjury claiming he lied under duress.He denies three charges of perjury claiming he lied under duress.
The jury was told by the prosecution how Mr Grommek's false evidence led to five men, Stephen Miller, Yusef Abdullahi, Anthony Paris, John Actie and Ronnie Actie being charged with murder.The jury was told by the prosecution how Mr Grommek's false evidence led to five men, Stephen Miller, Yusef Abdullahi, Anthony Paris, John Actie and Ronnie Actie being charged with murder.
Lynette White was stabbed to death on Valentine's Day in 1988.Lynette White was stabbed to death on Valentine's Day in 1988.
Grommek's evidence was completely untrue but he was led and pressurised Prosecutor Nicholas Dean QCGrommek's evidence was completely untrue but he was led and pressurised Prosecutor Nicholas Dean QC
Mr Grommek lived in the same apartment block as Ms White who was stabbed more than 50 times.Mr Grommek lived in the same apartment block as Ms White who was stabbed more than 50 times.
He was interviewed by police within days of her brutal murder in the Butetown area of Cardiff but told police that he knew nothing about it.He was interviewed by police within days of her brutal murder in the Butetown area of Cardiff but told police that he knew nothing about it.
However, in late 1988, he changed his story.However, in late 1988, he changed his story.
Prosecutor Nicholas Dean QC said: "Mr Grommek now says that in November and December 1988, the police used a combination of suggestion, persuasion and verbal bullying to get him to agree to a version of events that was to implicate in particular Ronnie Actie and Yusef Abdullahi.Prosecutor Nicholas Dean QC said: "Mr Grommek now says that in November and December 1988, the police used a combination of suggestion, persuasion and verbal bullying to get him to agree to a version of events that was to implicate in particular Ronnie Actie and Yusef Abdullahi.
"He was persuaded to accept that version of events and was cajoled into signing statements he knew to be an absolute tissue of lies."He was persuaded to accept that version of events and was cajoled into signing statements he knew to be an absolute tissue of lies.
"Grommek's evidence was completely untrue but he was led and pressurised. He was browbeaten and he agreed to say it."Grommek's evidence was completely untrue but he was led and pressurised. He was browbeaten and he agreed to say it.
The pressure and suggestion is not a defence to the charges of perjury this defendant faces Prosecutor Nicholas Dean QCThe pressure and suggestion is not a defence to the charges of perjury this defendant faces Prosecutor Nicholas Dean QC
"While it's true Grommek was put under pressure, fed information and invited to agree falsehoods, he acted selfishly and in his own self-interests."While it's true Grommek was put under pressure, fed information and invited to agree falsehoods, he acted selfishly and in his own self-interests.
"All he was concerned about was himself and what would happen to him if he didn't agree."All he was concerned about was himself and what would happen to him if he didn't agree.
"He simply wanted to do whatever was necessary to get the police off his back. He didn't think or care about the consequences for the people he lied about."He simply wanted to do whatever was necessary to get the police off his back. He didn't think or care about the consequences for the people he lied about.
"The pressure and suggestion is not a defence to the charges of perjury this defendant faces.""The pressure and suggestion is not a defence to the charges of perjury this defendant faces."
Gafoor was jailed for life in 2003 after admitting Ms White's murder Mark Grommek lived in the same apartment block as Lynette White
Mr Dean told the court how Mr Grommek could have told the truth but continued to lie and "implicated innocent men in a horrific murder."Mr Dean told the court how Mr Grommek could have told the truth but continued to lie and "implicated innocent men in a horrific murder."
He continued: "Those five men had no choice but to face a charge of which they were wholly innocent.He continued: "Those five men had no choice but to face a charge of which they were wholly innocent.
"For all he may choose to try to present himself as a victim, the real victims here are Stephen Miller, John and Ronnie Actie, Yusef Abdullahi and Anthony Paris, and of course Lynette White.""For all he may choose to try to present himself as a victim, the real victims here are Stephen Miller, John and Ronnie Actie, Yusef Abdullahi and Anthony Paris, and of course Lynette White."
The court also heard how Mr Grommek repeated the lies at two subsequent trials at Swansea Crown Court in 1989 and 1990.The court also heard how Mr Grommek repeated the lies at two subsequent trials at Swansea Crown Court in 1989 and 1990.
The jury also heard how he continued to lie when he was interviewed by the BBC's Panorama programme into the murder investigation.The jury also heard how he continued to lie when he was interviewed by the BBC's Panorama programme into the murder investigation.
Mr Actie and his cousin John were cleared of Ms White's murder at a Swansea trial in 1990 while Mr Abdullahi, Stephen Miller and Anthony Paris (known as the Cardiff three) were jailed in 1990 but later cleared on appeal.Mr Actie and his cousin John were cleared of Ms White's murder at a Swansea trial in 1990 while Mr Abdullahi, Stephen Miller and Anthony Paris (known as the Cardiff three) were jailed in 1990 but later cleared on appeal.
The real killer, Jeffrey Gafoor, was caught using DNA evidence more than 10 years later and jailed for life in 2003 after admitting Ms White's murder.The real killer, Jeffrey Gafoor, was caught using DNA evidence more than 10 years later and jailed for life in 2003 after admitting Ms White's murder.
The jury also heard from Stephen Miller, Ms White's former boyfriend, who told the court he still had nightmares about his own treatment by police.
Under questioning from David Aubrey, defending, Mr Miller said the police officers "manipulated" him into making a false statement saying he was in the flat at the time and had stabbed Ms White.
Mr Miller, who unsuccessfully tried to retract his admission of stabbing later said: "They stripped me bare that day. That will be with me until the day I die."
An investigation was launched to discover why the original five defendants were wrongly arrested, charged and convicted of a crime they knew nothing about.An investigation was launched to discover why the original five defendants were wrongly arrested, charged and convicted of a crime they knew nothing about.
As a result, Mr Grommek, formerly of Cardiff, was interviewed and charged of perjury.As a result, Mr Grommek, formerly of Cardiff, was interviewed and charged of perjury.
The trial was adjourned until Tuesday morning.