A police sergeant from Chelmsford falsified a log and made up statements to cover a bungled surveillance operation, the Old Bailey heard.

City of London Police Sgt Douglas Bigg and Det Con Paul Blumson took the action after losing the trail of a pair of suspects at a crucial moment, it was alleged. Both deny one charge of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice.

Anthony Haycroft, prosecuting, said the pair made up notes in the surveillance log and also lied in witness statements to be used in a prosecution.

Jurors heard yesterday Bigg, of Parsonage Close, Broomfield, Chelmsford, was in charge of Operation Warlock - set up to smash a huge US counterfeit bond racket.

Blumson, of Hart Close, Uckfield, West Sussex, was also a member of the surveillance team on November 6, 1997.

That day two suspects were due to collect and deliver a cache of fake bonds to a London location.

The crooks were driven by an undercover detective, referred to as Sidney, to various places before they ended up at the safety deposit box area at Selfridges, Oxford Street.

The pair were being followed by the surveillance team with Blumson and Bigg in different cars.

Bigg was in charge of the operation on the ground and was fitted with a covert body radio set and a holdall containing a secret camera and video recorder.

Mr Haycroft explained the police were unaware of the destination of the bonds, but as the suspects entered Selfridges the officers lost sight of them.

He alleged in order to cover the mistake Bigg falsified evidence in the supplementary log that recorded his movements and Blumson supported his version of events. The prosecution also claimed the men made false witness statements for use in prosecuting the suspects.

Mr Haycroft said the events came to light 11 days later when a constable - who had a grudge against Bigg after being told by the sergeant he was being transferred out of the unit - made a complaint to a senior officer.

Bigg may have taken the course of action because he was embarrassed at the standard of the investigation he was in charge of, Mr Haycroft added.

The trial continues

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