Policeman in brothel case cleared

A SCOTLAND YARD disciplinary tribunal yesterday cleared a former member of a disbanded vice squad who was accused of making false statements in the case of a woman who was convicted of brothel keeping.

The tribunal, comprising a deputy assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and two members of the Police Complaints Authority, dismissed the charges against Constable Philip Spittles.

PC Spittles was a member of a vice squad based at Paddington in west London which was disbanded in mid-1988 amid suggestions of misconduct.

The case against PC Spittles stems from a complaint made by Lynda Al-Subaie, a former Military Police officer, who was convicted in 1988 of running a disorderly house. Ms Al-Subaie claimed he had lied when he denied planting a cat-o'-nine tails at her home. She also claimed he and a Superintendent Peter Bean lied about seeing a naked man there.

Following her official complaint, disciplinary proceedings were brought against both officers. They were thrown out by a tribunal last year but reinstated by the High Court after legal action by the authority. Supt Bean retired early on medical grounds.

Ms Al-Subaie's appeal against her conviction and nine-month suspended sentence was postponed pending the disciplinary hearing and is now expected to take place shortly.