Prison officers are in court on perjury charges
TWO prison officers have appeared in court accused of perjury offences.
Raymond Cook, 50, and Mark Bedford, 36, are both alleged to have wilfully made a false statement during an inquest into the death of inmate John Ahmed, a 42-yearold dad from Waterfoot, in 2015.
Both Mr Cook and Mr Bedford appeared in the dock at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, May 12.
Mr Cook, of Oldham, is charged with wilfully making a statement in an inquest held at Manchester Coroner’s Court enquiring into the death of John Ahmed between February 27 and March 29, 2017, wherein he had been lawfully sworn as a witness, which he knew to be false or did not believe to be true.
The particulars are namely the actual circumstances of the restraint used, the condition and presentation of Mr Ahmed including whether he appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants, and the circumstances surrounding the creation and dating of a report submitted to the Coroner.
Mr Bedford, of St Helens, is also charged with wilfully making a statement having been lawfully sworn as a witness in the same inquest which he did not believe to be true.
The particulars are namely that he allegedly exaggerated the content of his statement in order to present Mr Ahmed as more violent or threatening; and adopted parts of Mr Cook’s evidence in order to support his colleague’s account.
Both men entered not guilty pleas to the offences.
During the hearing a timetable was set in regards to the trial and a trial date was fixed for March 28, 2022.
Mr Cook, of Stoneswood Road, and Mr Bedford, of Fleet Lane, were granted unconditional bail until the next hearing.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Two officers are suspended pending the outcome of a court case.”