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Pc admits falsifying court notes Pc admits falsifying court notes
(about 2 hours later)
A police officer has admitted giving false evidence at a trial.A police officer has admitted giving false evidence at a trial.
Sundeep Patel, 29, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court he had altered evidence to cover-up the accused man's claim that he had acted in self-defence.Sundeep Patel, 29, told Edinburgh Sheriff Court he had altered evidence to cover-up the accused man's claim that he had acted in self-defence.
The Lothian and Borders officer, based at Bathgate in West Lothian, pleaded guilty to giving false evidence at Linlithgow Sheriff Court in July 2004.The Lothian and Borders officer, based at Bathgate in West Lothian, pleaded guilty to giving false evidence at Linlithgow Sheriff Court in July 2004.
Sheriff John Horsburgh, QC, deferred sentence on Patel, a first offender, for background reports. Sentence on Patel, who blamed a culture of racist bullying in the police, was deferred for background reports.
He says he did not know what was going on in his mind so he falsified the information but did not know why he did it Aamer AnwarDefence agentHe says he did not know what was going on in his mind so he falsified the information but did not know why he did it Aamer AnwarDefence agent
Defence agent Aamer Anwar claimed his client had been the subject of bullying and racial abuse since joining the police force.
"He says he did not know what was going on in his mind " said Mr Anwar " so he falsified the information but did not know why he did it".
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "We are aware of these allegations and a senior police officer has already been appointed by the deputy chief constable to look into them."
In January 2004, after two years on the force, Patel were called to an alleged assault by a man on a woman.In January 2004, after two years on the force, Patel were called to an alleged assault by a man on a woman.
The man was arrested and Patel as the reporting officer took notes of the interview.The man was arrested and Patel as the reporting officer took notes of the interview.
Suspended from duty
Fiscal Malcolm Stewart told the court it was clear from the notebook the accused man, in reply to questions, claimed he had been acting in self-defence.Fiscal Malcolm Stewart told the court it was clear from the notebook the accused man, in reply to questions, claimed he had been acting in self-defence.
While Patel was giving evidence, his notebook was produced, and, said Mr Stewart, it became apparent there were significant differences between what was in the notebook and what was in the transcript of the police interview.While Patel was giving evidence, his notebook was produced, and, said Mr Stewart, it became apparent there were significant differences between what was in the notebook and what was in the transcript of the police interview.
The trial was adjourned. and the accused man was found not guilty.The trial was adjourned. and the accused man was found not guilty.
Racial abuse
In the transcript, Patel asked the man if he had attacked the woman in the bedroom or living room.In the transcript, Patel asked the man if he had attacked the woman in the bedroom or living room.
The answer was: "I hit her on the face", while the true reply was: "I never touched her".The answer was: "I hit her on the face", while the true reply was: "I never touched her".
Asked why he had hit the woman, the transcript showed the man replying: "Because she was being boring", when the true reply was: "Because she went to stab me and hit me with the frying pan".Asked why he had hit the woman, the transcript showed the man replying: "Because she was being boring", when the true reply was: "Because she went to stab me and hit me with the frying pan".
The fiscal said Patel was formally interviewed at Lothian and Borders Police headquarters at Fettes in Edinburgh in January 2005 and refused to comment on the allegations. He was suspended from duty.The fiscal said Patel was formally interviewed at Lothian and Borders Police headquarters at Fettes in Edinburgh in January 2005 and refused to comment on the allegations. He was suspended from duty.
Defence agent Aamer Anwar claimed his client had been the subject of bullying and racial abuse since joining the police force.
"He says he did not know what was going on in his mind " said Mr Anwar " so he falsified the information but did not know why he did it".
A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "We are aware of these allegations and a senior police officer has already been appointed by the deputy chief constable to look into them."