Defence chief found guilty of taking bribes

A TOP defence official was found guilty yesterday of pocketing thousands of pounds in bribes during an armaments contract fraud.

Bernard Trevelyan, head of the Ministry of Defence's light armoured engineering systems, used a front company to leak technical and financial secrets on valuable orders from 1985 to 1988. He had a 'great deal of influence' in deciding who won lucrative deals for armoured car equipment and machine-gun mountings, Southwark Crown Court in London was told.

Trevelyan, 61, of Rowley Regis, near Worley, West Midlands, was convicted on four counts of corruption involving a total of pounds 8,652, and one charge of attempted corruption which could have netted him pounds 28,580. He was acquitted on three corruption charges. Judge Michael Harris adjourned sentencing to 22 April, for reports.