Just six weeks into the eleven week trial at Southampton Crown Court, three Isle of Wight men have walked free from bribery and corruption charges.
The trial, which had been hearing about allegations of ‘backhanders’ being paid by pharmaceutical companies to two Isle of Wight men over the course of seven years, had to be abandoned due to disclosure issues.
The prosecution said they were unable to guarantee a fair trial as the defence team had not had sight of materials thought to be irrelevant at the beginning of the trial, which later became crucial to the case.
The three Islanders
Paul Jerram from Shanklin had been charged with six counts of bribery and one count of corruption, whilst Dr David Turner from Ventnor had been charged with five counts of bribery.
Seaview businessman Noel Staunton, was facing a corruption charge relating to a payment of £2,000 and a bribery charge relating to paying a £4,200 fee.
Could be awarded thousands
All three men now walk free.
At a costs hearing next month, they could be awarded thousands of pounds in damages to cover their legal costs.
Undercover investigation
As reported by News OnTheWight in 2015, The Telegraph had launched an undercover investigation, exposing senior NHS staff being taken on expensive trips and paid thousands of pounds by pharmaceutical companies.
News OnTheWight reported in 2016 that Jerram had been dismissed by the IWCCG.
Source: IWCP
