Detective denies 'barefaced lie' at Fallon trial

A policeman denied telling a lie to the Kieren Fallon race-fixing trial at the Old Bailey yesterday.

Acting Detective Inspector Mark Manning said he could not remember having a conversation with an officer from Yorkshire about his witness statement.

Peter Kelson, QC, for Sheffield businessman Miles Rodgers, pointed out similarities in the witness statement and in the City of London detective's notebook. He put it to Manning: "That is a barefaced lie."

Manning said the entries were based on the same facts and similarities were bound to occur. He added: "I do not recall the conversation."

It is alleged the defendants plotted to get 27 horses to lose so Rodgers' betting syndicate could win money, defrauding Betfair and other punters.

Jockeys Fallon, 42, of Tipperary; Fergal Lynch, 29, of Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire; and Darren Williams, 29, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, deny the charges. Rodgers, 38, of Silkstone, South Yorkshire; Shaun Lynch, 38, of Belfast; and Philip Sherkle, 42, of Tamworth, Staffordshire, also plead not guilty. Rodgers also denies concealing proceeds of crime.

The trial was adjourned to today.