BY GAVIN MACKINTOSH AND LUCY CAULKETT
A West Yorkshire Police inspector and his son are facing trial for stealing drugs seized by the force with the intention of supply.
Keith Boots, 54, and his son Ashley Boots, 29, are both charged with a total of 16 charges between them. They appeared at Leeds magistrates Court via video link to confirm their name and address, date of birth, and their plea.
In another one of those disgraceful case to the police force. A third defendant, Ian Mitchell, 27, of HMP Leeds, denied conspiracy to perverting the course of justice.
All three are due to stand trial on 3 January 2017, in a case that confirms the presence of dodgy coppers in the drug squad. It is worth pointing out that dodgy coppers who succumb to the temptation to sell drugs seized from criminal drug dealers are not as criminal as the dealers themselves if this is not their lifestyle, but they are dodgy all the same. There was a gum smacking silence in the court, given the shocking nature of the offence against a police inspector at such high level.
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The offences were alleged to have taken place between May 2012 and December 2014.Keith Boots, of Normanton Lane, Bradford, was suspended from West Yorkshire Police in December 2014 but the force said it could not confirm whether he remained suspended “for legal reasons”.
Boots pleaded not guilty to four charges of theft and six counts of possession of drugs including heroin, cocaine, cannabis and TFMPP with intent to supply.
However, he denied three counts of conspiracy to supply drugs to another, one charge of conspiracy to perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to steal controlled drugs and possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate.
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Ashley Boots, of Weatherhouse Terrace, Halifax, pleaded not guilty to six counts of possession of drugs with intent to supply, three charges of conspiracy to supply, one of conspiracy to perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to steal controlled drugs and possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate.
They, along with Mr Mitchell, have been remanded in custody until 4 November when they are due to appear at Leeds Crown Court for a pre-trial review hearing.
The trial is expected to last three months.
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