A CORRUPT police officer was nicknamed “The Gardener” because of his reputation for planting evidence, a court heard.

PC Phil Berry, who was once a trusted and respected member of Bolton drugs squad, stole exhibits so he could plant them on suspects, Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard yesterday.

Anthony Barraclough is defending Gary Knox, an alleged drug dealer, who is said to have bought an “A to Z” directory of Bolton’s drug dealers from PC Berry.

Mr Barraclough said: “Mr Berry was very dodgy as a police officer for many years. He conned people into trusting him.

“He was called ‘The Gardener’ because he was always planting things. Didn’t the Bolton drugs squad make a habit of planting things?

“Isn’t there a climate of noble corruption in the Bolton police force? If you can’t do it in a straight way, you do it in a bent way.”

He added: “Bolton got a national prize from The Home Office for having a fantastic record for arresting and convicting drug dealers. How much of that was due to planting?”

Mr Barraclough made the allegations when he was cross examining PCs Andrew Devine and Andrew Yates, who are prosecution witnesses against Knox and six other defendants.

The court heard that PC Yates was furious when a mobile phone he had seized from a suspect went missing and he had an angry confrontation with PC Berry asking what had happened to it.

The court also heard that PC Berry mowed the lawn of Knox, a previously convicted drug dealer.

PC Devine said Bolton Drugs Squad awards had been won for their undercover operations and they did not need to plant evidence.

Berry has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, while Knox denies the same charge. Knox, aged 34, of Seathwaite Road, Farnworth, also denies conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and perverting the course of justice.

Six other defendants deny conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.

They are Philip Meiring, aged 33, of Dickenson Street, Bolton; Dale Hadfield, aged 27, of Stanley Road, Heaton; Francis Hunt, aged 41, of Spindlewood Road, Ince; Joanne Greaves, aged 37, of Whittle Grove, Bolton; Anthony Grainger, aged 33, of Chipping Road, Bury, and Jamie Sewart, aged 31, of Tiverton Walk, Bolton.

The case continues.

julian.thorpe@the boltonnews.co.uk