Falklands : Former Detective Sergeant Receives 200 Hours Community Service
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 19.11.2006 (Article Archived on 03.12.2006)
DS Jonathan Butler was today sentenced to serve 200 hours of Community Service and pay £500 in costs, having pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in a public office.
Misconduct in a Public Office
The Case of Detective Sergeant Butler
DS Jonathan Butler was today sentenced to serve 200 hours of Community Service and pay £500 in costs, having pleaded guilty to a charge of misconduct in a public office.
Passing sentence the Acting Senior Magistrate, Gary Hickinbottom, said that Mr Butler was guilty of an offence which was more than negligence. By knowingly submitting revised statements to Crown Counsel he had changed the course of an investigation. Consequently, the public’s perception of the Police had diminished. The nature of the offence was serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence.
However, Mr Hickinbottom noted that there had been no actual or intended perversion of the course of justice, a fact acknowledged by the Crown in accepting Mr Butler’s guilty plea of misconduct in a public office. Furthermore his actions had neither the intent nor the consequence of personal gain.
The Acting Senior Magistrate also considered the effects of the case. The defendant, a man of previous good character, had lost his career and his standing in the community was diminished. Furthermore, his family was devastated by the case brought against him. The case had been thoroughly investigated and brought to trial and this would act as a lesson to others. In the circumstances, Mr Hickinbottom said he doubted whether a custodial sentence would increase the deterrent factor. Community Service was appropriate because Mr Butler had taken from the community and he must now give something back and be seen to be doing so.
Summing up, the Acting Senior Magistrate said that the events of the last year must have been difficult for all those involved, disheartening and disruptive for the police and disturbing for the community. The relevant authorities should now take appropriate steps to restore confidence in the Police Service.
The Governor, together with the Falkland Islands Government, will now be considering the steps to be taken to address the issues raised by this case and that of Mr. David Morris.
--ENDS--
17th November 2006
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