HONG KONG: FORMER POLICE SUPERINTENDENT PETER GODBER RETURNS TO STAND TRIAL FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION.

Record ID: 571391

  • Title: HONG KONG: FORMER POLICE SUPERINTENDENT PETER GODBER RETURNS TO STAND TRIAL FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION.
  • Date: 7th January 1975
  • Summary: 1. CU Godber headline in English Newspaper 5 ft 2. CU BOAC flight zoom out to jet taxiing 14 ft 3. GV security sign with police 17 ft 4. GV journalists 19 ft 5. GV car leaving Central magistracy zoom into magistracy sing 28 ft 6. GV people outside court 30 ft 7. GV Godber walks into court 40 ft 8. Cutaway policeman outside court 42 ft 9. GV Godber out of court 46 ft 10. GV police car leaves through gate 53 ft Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 22nd January 1975 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: HONG KONG
  • Country: Hong Kong
  • Reuters ID: LVA34XYVOPJ6L9PSKY9MGBBWY6F9
  • Story Text: Hong Kong's most wanted man, Peter Godber, returned to the Colony from London on Tuesday (7 January) to stand trial for alleged corruption.

    Godber's return ended an eight-month legal battle against extradition to Hong Kong to face charges of receiving 25,000 HK dollars (about 2,000 sterling) from a Chinese police officer for assisting him to get a top posting.

    The former Hong Kong police chief superintendent arrived in Hong Kong aboard a commercial jetliner amid tight security pre-cautions.

    Journalists covering his arrival at Kai Tak airport were prevented from approaching the British Airways 747 jet by a police cordon that ringed the tarmac.

    Shortly after his arrival, the 52-year-old Godber was placed on board a military helicopter the took him across the harbour to a Royal Naval base. From there he was whisked to Hong Kong's Central magistracy where he was officially charged.

    Godber left Hong Kong in June 1973 while he was being investigated by anti-graft officers who had asked him to explain his wealth. He went to England and was arrested at his Sussex cottage under the Fugitive Offenders Act last April 29th.

    During the five-day extradition hearing it was alleged that Godber had amassed a 200,000 sterling fortune after 20 years service with the Royal Hong Kong Police when he could have earned only a third of that figure.

    It was alleged that this money had been the result of rake-offs from Hong Kong vice and gambling establishments -- lists of which were found in Godber's car.

    Godber's High Court appeal was turned down in December 1974.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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