A former Loganholme constable of police was jailed today for attempting to cover up an assault on a woman in a watch house cell.
34 year old Justin Anthony Burkett was today sentenced at the Beenleigh District Court to a total of 3 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to four perjury charges, two charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice and one count of assault causing bodily harm. Judge Ian Dearden ordered that the sentence was to be suspended after Burkett served 9 months.
The Crime and Misconduct Commission investigated the actions of Burkett and other police officers when they arrested a woman in April 2004 for shoplifting and a traffic offence.
While the woman was in a holding cell at Loganholme police station, Burkett hit her several times. Burkett charged the woman with assault, claiming that the woman initially kicked him.
Burkett later gave false testimony during the summary trial of the woman for assault. Burkett asked two other police officers, via email, to supply false statements, for the purposes of the summary trial.
The CMC held closed investigative hearings as part of its investigation. Burkett also provided false information on oath at those hearings.
Another police officer charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and perjury has pleaded not guilty and has been committed to stand trial on a date yet to be fixed.
CMC Acting Director, Misconduct Investigations Daniel Boyle said it is a very serious offence for a police officer to provide false testimony on oath, whether to a court or to an investigative hearing.
‘While Burkett’s actions were a gross abuse of his position as a member of the Queensland Police Service, it is significant that another police officer assisted in exposing and proving the misconduct.’
ENDS
