 A former Metropolitan Police officer is facing time behind bars after being found guilty of taking bribes while policing West End bars and clubs. Ex-sergeant Frank Partridge, 50, was found guilty of four counts of bribery on Wednesday following a trial. He'd previously admitted three other bribery charges, and was cleared of an eighth count. Partridge accepted a £7,000 luxury family holiday to Morocco, tickets to exclusive events, and renovation of his own home while working in the Westminster Licensing Unit between 2013 and 2015. His role involved consulting with councils over applications for licensed premises, and supervising venues to make sure they complied with conditions. Partridge, who left the Met in 2016, formed an 'unprofessional and inappropriately close' relationship with people linked to West End nightclubs and security firms, including Cirque le Soir nightclub owner Ryan Bishti. Bishti, 43, Anna Ginandes, 46, Terry Neil, 56, and a man who cannot be named for legal reasons were found guilty of one count each of bribery. Neil and Ginandes were also found not guilty of one count of bribery each. Soraya Henderson and Eamonn Mulholland were cleared of all wrongdoing. All guilty verdicts were unanimous. Prosecutor Philip Evans told the jury at Southwark crown court: 'Those relationships directly benefited Frank Partridge financially and the individuals because they had someone with Frank Partridge's powers in their pocket.' Partridge 'developed and he nurtured' relationships with those he was charged with policing 'for his own benefit and, in turn, for their benefit' and there was 'no sensible' explanation for what was happening, Mr Evans said. Partridge will be sentenced next Tuesday, while Bishti, Ginandes, Neil, and the unnamed man will be sentenced on September 21. Commander James Harman, of the Metropolitan Police's anti corruption and abuse command, said after the case: 'This is){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A former Metropolitan Police officer is facing time behind bars after being found guilty of taking bribes while policing West End bars and clubs.
Ex-sergeant Frank Partridge, 50, was found guilty of four counts of bribery on Wednesday following a trial.
He’d previously admitted three other bribery charges, and was cleared of an eighth count.
Partridge accepted a £7,000 luxury family holiday to Morocco, tickets to exclusive events, and renovation of his own home while working in the Westminster Licensing Unit between 2013 and 2015.