Barrister Jailed After Lying To Police

Barrister Constance Briscoe has been jailed for 16 months, it has been reported.

Briscoe, who is a part-time judge, was found guilty of lying to police in relation to ex-cabinet minister Chris Huhne's speeding points case.

The 56-year-old was convicted on three counts of intending to pervert the course of justice in relations to the case. She will serve half of her sentence in prison, with the other half on licence.

She has denied the charges against her.

In a statement, Kent Police said following an investigation with Essex Serious Crime Directorate, discrepancies were found in statements provided by Ms Briscoe to police investigating Chris Huhne and Vicki Pryce for perverting the course of justice relating to a speeding offence dating back to March 2003.

The evidence obtained by officers in that case showed that on both 31 May 2011 and 16 August 2012, Briscoe provided Essex Police with two statements in relation to the Huhne Pryce investigation which were inaccurate.

On 6 October 2012, Ms Briscoe also provided officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate with a copy of her witness statement – dated 16 August – that had been altered from the original. She maintained it was the correct version.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector John McDermott said: "In her roles as a Recorder Judge and as a barrister, if anyone should understand the importance of preserving public justice it should be Constance Briscoe.

"In failing to cooperate with police, she very nearly had a detrimental impact on the convictions of two other people in relation to a historic speeding offence. Had it not been for the hard work of the officers in these cases, the offenders may never have been convicted.

"The overwhelming evidence uncovered by officers meant the jury had no choice but to find Ms Briscoe guilty. Today shows that no one is above the law and perverting the course of justice is a serious offence."

(JP)