Court clerk becomes first person to be prosecuted under new bribery law

An administrative clerk at a Magistrates’ Court has become the first individual to be prosecuted under new bribery laws, the Crown Prosecution Service has revealed.

Munir Yakub Patel is being prosecuted under the Bribery Act 2010 in relation to allegations of misconduct during his employment at Redbridge Magistrates' Court, Ilford, London.

He faces a charge under Section 2 of the 2010 Act – which came into force on 1 July 2011 – for requesting and receiving a bribe intending to improperly perform his functions.

Patel has already been charged with misconduct in public office and perverting the course of justice. These charges relate to other alleged misconduct during his employment.

Gaon Hart, reviewing lawyer for the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: "It is alleged that Patel promised an individual summonsed for a motoring offence that he could influence the course of criminal proceedings in exchange for £500, on 1 August 2011.

"I have reviewed all of the evidence gathered by the police and considered the Director of Public Prosecution's guidelines on the Bribery Act. I am satisfied there is sufficient evidence to charge Munir Patel with requesting and receiving a bribe on 1 August 2011 intending to improperly perform his functions."

The charge under the Bribery Act will be put to Patel at Southwark Crown Court on 14 October 2011.

Section 2(1) states that a person is guilty of an offence if they request, agree to receive, or accept a financial or other advantage intending that a relevant function or activity should be performed improperly.

The maximum sentence for an offence under this section is ten years imprisonment at the Crown Court.