15/12/06 - Former officer denies being corrupt
By Essex Evening Echo
The former detective accused during the trial of selling information to Ricky Percival has vigorously denied the claims.
John Moran, 58, who served with Rayleigh Major Investigation Team (MIT), said they were a "total fabrication". He also said his current employers at Basildon Hospital, where he co-ordinates security services, sent him home after reading the details of the case reported in the Echo.
But, he said: "I am back at work now. In fact once my colleagues had done certain checks to find out what happened before, they were quite happy to have me back at work." Mr Moran, of Overton Close, Benfleet, said the allegations in court - that he had sold information about the murder investigation to Percival for thousands of pounds - were found to be baseless by several investigations.
Mr Moran said: "At the time, there was a thorough investigation by the anti-corruption squad. "They took away all computers, documents about bank accounts. Every penny that I had - and that wasn't a great deal - was accounted for. "Having gone through that and the upset it caused to my wife and family, I then get summoned into work by my new employers after they read the paper."
During the trial, star prosecution witness Dam-on Alvin, formerly of Rushbottom Lane, Ben-fleet, said Percival had come into contact with Mr Moran, a former director of Basildon Football Club, through mutual friend Kim Webber, the club's former vice chairman.
Webber, of London Road, Leigh, is serving a ten-year jail sentence for conspiracy to produce amphetamines and conspiracy to supply cannabis resin. He was arrested after 100 officers swooped on the football club on October 14, 2003.
Mr Moran was suspended from Rayleigh MIT, where he worked as a civilian member of staff. He had previously been a detective sergeant in MIT for about six years before retiring in July 2003 and returning as a civilian investigator in September 2003.
He was questioned about drug deals, theft, corruption and perverting the course of justice. In May 2004, police decided not to take criminal action against Mr Moran and he was released on police bail. He remained suspended on full pay until June 15, 2004, when he resigned.
Mr Alvin told Chelmsford Crown Court: "In late 2002 I became aware that Percival was receiving information from police officers closely involved in the murder inquiry. He had told me this. "I became aware through Percival that he had been approached by his friend Kim Webber.
"Webber said he had been told to steer clear of Percival because he was being investigated for serious offences. "Webber relayed this information to Percival, informing him that he was under surveillance. "Percival was keen to talk to the officer. At first he was reluctant but the meeting did take place.
"(Mr Moran) gave him lots of information confirming that he was under surveillance. "He confirmed that he could supply information about cases and, at this point, I believe the officer was involved in the murder case."
After an alleged meeting at a car park in Hadleigh between Mr Moran and Percival, Mr Alvin said: "Percival told me, when he came back to the car, he had been given information that the surveillance had been moved from him to me. "He said this was because I was seen as an easier target.
"If I was arrested, there was a better chance that I would say something because I had a family." Mr Moran said: "As far as I'm aware, I've never met Mr Alvin. I know the name because I put his name forward as one of the two people responsible for the murder.
"When you do that in a job where you deal with gangland people and killings, sometimes the people who put names forward are going to have their own names dirtied. "I only met Percival once, as my recollection goes, but I cannot recall where."
