Why is cricketer Lou Vincent not in the dock with Chris Cairns?
Herald writer Jared Savage looked at the reasons why the cricketer complicit in the issues facing Chris Cairns escaped prosecution himself.
One of the most senior detectives in London was forced to defend his decision to not prosecute Lou Vincent for match-fixing and other crimes.
The Crown Prosecution Service also raised concerns that Vincent was “rushing to the door to get in first” by implicating Chris Cairns in his confessions and the scope of the investigation should not be limited to whether Cairns had committed perjury, according to notes of a meeting read to the Southwark Crown Court.
Treating Vincent solely as a witness could seriously undermine the prosecution of Cairns, according to the CPS meeting with the Metropolitan Police Service, although a later email seemed to contradict the original advice as it “would come down to who the jury believed”.
Before he gave his evidence at the beginning of the trial, Vincent was given a formal warning that he did not have to answer questions which he believed might incriminate himself.
Vincent went on to admit a number of criminal offences in the United Kingdom, including match-fixing in sports games and receiving bribes of around 100,000 pounds.
But Orlando Pownall QC, representing Cairns, asked Detective Chief Superintendent Michael Duthie whether Vincent was ever at risk of prosecution, or was the warning just a “sham” to bolster his credibility.
Mr Duthie said Vincent was not granted immunity or offered assurances he would not be charged in exchange for giving evidence against Cairns.
He said the investigation focused on the allegations of perjury in the High Court in London – inside his jurisdiction – not match-fixing in cricket games in other parts of England or overseas.
The senior detective said the matter was referred to the Met by the International Cricket Council and the English Cricket Board, which was going to deal with Vincent’s match-fixing through a disciplinary tribunal.
The decision to not charge Vincent for match-fixing was operational, said Mr Duthie.
“I have 450 murder investigations, I’m not looking for more work. If the ICC and the ECB want to deal with it, and I agree the sanctions are appropriate, then that’s it.”
Read more: NZ Herald
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