Surrey Police officers lose court address ban bid

Two senior Surrey Police officers accused of trying to avoid paying speeding fines have failed to stop their addresses being given in court.

Ch Supt Adrian Harper, of Downs Road, Epsom, and Supt Jonathan Johncox, of Thorncroft Drive, Leatherhead, had said publishing their addresses could endanger their safety.

They had said they had been involved in covert police operations for 25 years.

The Administrative Court said this was not as important as open justice.

Both officers are accused of misconduct in public office.

Ch Supt Harper, the divisional commander for East Surrey, faces two counts while Supt Johncox, of the West Surrey division, faces one count.

Ch Supt Harperwill appear before Winchester Crown Court on 19 July while Supt Johncox is due before the same court on 5 July. The two men are to be tried separately.

During an appearance before Aldershot magistrates last August they sought an order withholding their home addresses from the public and banning the media from reporting them.

The magistrates refused to make the order and the men's addresses were read out in open court.

They later obtained a temporary injunction banning publication and sought a judicial review of the magistrates' decision.

Judges at the Administrative Court refused the application for a judicial review and discharged the injunction.