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Race-fix officer 'not impartial' Race-fix officer 'not impartial'
(about 6 hours later)
A lawyer at a horse race-fixing trial has questioned the impartiality of the leading detective, a court has heard. The impartiality of the detective in charge of the race-fixing case has been questioned at the Old Bailey.
Peter Kelson QC said acting Detective Inspector Mark Manning, who was due to retire, had been offered a job with the Jockey Club. Defence counsel Peter Kelson, QC, said acting Detective Inspector Mark Manning, who was due to retire, had been offered a job at the Jockey Club.
He said the jury should have "deep anxiety" about his impartiality.He said the jury should have "deep anxiety" about his impartiality.
Six defendants, including jockey Kieren Fallon, deny conspiracy at the Old Bailey to defraud customers of internet betting exchange Betfair. Six defendants, including former champion jockey Kieren Fallon, deny conspiracy to defraud customers of internet betting exchange Betfair.
Conspiracy Mr Kelson, counsel for Miles Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, said his client was simply a "prolific professional gambler" who obtained tips from jockeys and others in the racing industry and placed wagers on Betfair.
Mr Kelson, defending betting syndicate boss Miles Rodgers, said his client was simply a prolific gambler who obtained tips from jockeys and others in the racing industry and placed wages on Betfair. Fallon is due to ride in Ireland on Wednesday evening
He pointed out that despite the prosecution's claims that it was a "sophisticated and cunning conspiracy", the alleged conspirators had actually made a loss of £278,067 on the 27 races in question.He pointed out that despite the prosecution's claims that it was a "sophisticated and cunning conspiracy", the alleged conspirators had actually made a loss of £278,067 on the 27 races in question.
He also said that Mr Rodgers betted on a number of other sports, including boxing, cricket, football and tennis, as well as on events like Pop Idol and Big Brother. Conspiracy
There was laughter around the court when Mr Kelson said that of the £6 which his client had wagered on Eurovision "he kept a grip of himself on that one". He said Mr Rodgers betted on a number of other sports, including boxing, cricket, football and tennis, as well as on events like Pop Idol and Big Brother.
On Tuesday, the court heard how Mr Fallon came second in a race he should have won "at a canter". There was laughter around the court when Mr Kelson said his client had wagered £6 on the Eurovision Song Contest and added "he kept a grip of himself on that one".
Jonathan Caplan QC, prosecuting, said the champion jockey seemed to stop riding Ballinger Ridge as he entered the home stretch with a huge lead. Mr Kelson said Mr Rodgers had frequently "boasted" of his contacts in the racing industry and had made no attempt to "keep under the radar" as you would have expected if he was a major conspirator.
A ruling body later found he made an error of judgement in the race at Lingfield in March 2004. The prosecution also alleges that jockey Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, acted as an intermediary between Mr Rodgers and Kieren Fallon in a conspiracy to make horses lose.
Charges
Mr Fallon, 42, of Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, told a stewards' inquiry into the race that he had given the horse "a breather", the court was told.
Mr Caplan told the court how Mr Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire, had placed £74,000 on Ballinger Ridge to lose the race.
He alleged that fellow jockey Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, acted as an intermediary between Mr Rodgers and Mr Fallon in a conspiracy to make horses lose.
Mr Fallon, Mr Rodgers and Mr Lynch, as well as Mr Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire and Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, have all pleaded not guilty to being involved in the alleged race-fixing scam.Mr Fallon, Mr Rodgers and Mr Lynch, as well as Mr Lynch's brother Shaun Lynch, 37, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire and Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, have all pleaded not guilty to being involved in the alleged race-fixing scam.
Mr Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.Mr Rodgers also denies concealing the proceeds of crime.
Mr Fallon has won six champion jockey titles in the UK and on Sunday he won France's biggest race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.Mr Fallon has won six champion jockey titles in the UK and on Sunday he won France's biggest race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The trial continues.The trial continues.