15 accused over prostitute murder case to learn trial date

A dozen serving and former police officers accused of perverting the course of justice could learn when they will jointly stand trial today.

A judge is expected to choose a venue for the case of 15 people accused in Wales's most notorious miscarriage of justice case.

Judge Mr Justice Sweeney is holding a directions hearing at Swansea Crown Court where a venue for the trial is expected to be chosen.

All 15 defendants are accused of being implicated in the outcome of two trials which led to the wrongful imprisonment of three men for murder.

Stephen Miller, Yusef Abdullahi and Anthony Paris were jailed in 1990 for the murder of Cardiff prostitute Lynette White.

The 20-year-old sex worker was stabbed more than 50 times in a brutal attack at a flat in Cardiff in 1988.

The men, dubbed the Cardiff Three, protested their innocence and were freed on appeal in 1992.

Mr Miller, Mr Abdullahi and Mr Paris stood trial twice, in 1989 and again in 1990, after the original judge died midway through the first case.

In the dock with them at both trials were cousins Ronald and John Actie, who were acquitted of murder at the end of the second trial.

In 2003 Jeffrey Gafoor, a security guard from Llanharan, near Bridgend, admitted to the murder and was jailed for life.

The outcome of that case led to an inquiry which culminated in the 15 accused being charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Three are serving police officers, another nine are retired or former police officers and three are civilians.

They are Graham Mouncher, Richard Powell, Thomas Page, Michael Daniels, John Gillard, Paul Jennings, Paul Stephen, Peter Greenwood, John Seaford, Wayne Pugh, John Murray, Rachel O'Brien, Stephen Hicks, Violet Perriam and Ian Massey.

Perriam, Mouncher and Massey each face two further charges of perjury.

All 15 defendants have been told they can attend today's hearing but are under no obligation to do so.