Springburn couple admit bribing stab victim

A couple have admitted bribing a stab victim with £1,000 to make him drop an assault charge.

Paul Hamilton, 42, and Jolene Harkins, 41, from Glasgow, gave the cash to Jake Francis from Tyneside to make him change his evidence.

Mr Francis was knifed on the head and body by Hamilton at the couple's flat in Glasgow's Springburn, on September 14, 2016.

He was then called as a witness at a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court on January 9, 2017.

But, the High Court in Glasgow heard that Mr Francis spent the cash - and then gave evidence against Hamilton who was convicted and jailed for three years.

Hamilton and Harkins pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice between November 21, 2016 and January 31, last year, by giving money to a Crown witness to withdraw his evidence.

At the time Hamilton was on remand awaiting trial. Prison phone calls between him and Harkins revealed that he was the prime mover.

Prosecutor Iain McSporran QC said: “He was extremely anxious to ensure the plan would work to the extent of suggesting a further £2,000 be offered in the event of him being acquitted. On occasions she expressed reluctance to continue, but was persuaded to do so.”

The crime came to light in December 10 , 2016, when Mr Francis contacted Northumbria Police and admitted he had accepted money to drop charges against Hamilton, who has previous convictions for violence.

Mr Francis admitted sending an email saying he wanted to change his evidence.

But, he claimed he did so under duress. He went on to give evidence against Hamilton.

Judge Lord Mulholland told Hamilton and Harkins: “This is a very serious matter interfering with a witness.

"It strikes at the heart of the justice system in this country.”

The court heard Mr Francis was firstly contacted through a a friend request on Facebook on November 21, 2016, and asked for his phone number.

Harkins then called and asked if anything could be done to persuade him to drop the charges against Hamilton. He said no and hung up

The following day an unknown man offered him £1,000.

All subsequent calls and texts came from Harkins.

Mr McSporran said: “In none of these messages is there any hint of threats or menace, rather she appears to be friendly and grateful to the witness, referring to him as mate and saying he has done her a massive favour.

“Mr Francis confirms he has sent an email and says 'hope this gets it sorted for you and Paul ' and adds 'this better not get me in trouble mind, lol.'”

The court heard that when the first payment of £200 was made to Mr Francis on November 24, 2016, he sent an email to Hamilton's defence lawyer saying:

It read: “This is my current position. I lied in my first statement as I cannot remember a thing from that night as I was full of drink and drugs. Can you forward to the procurator fiscal on my behalf."

The next day Mr Francis was given a further £800 by bank transfer.

Harkins remained in regular contact with Mr Francis by text.

She suggested that he could avoid being served with a citation by ensuring his parents did not give his address to police or by obtaining a letter from his GP advising he was unfit to attend court.

Mr McSporran added: “There is once again a sense from the texts that the purpose in hand is to their mutual benefit rather than borne out of fear by Jake Francis. These messages serve the purpose of keeping him on board and informed.”

A probe was sparked when the sheriff in Hamilton's trial became aware Mr Francis had sent the email "under duress".

Sentence was deferred on Hamilton and first offender Harkins until next month.

Harkins, who was described by defence counsel Geoff Forbes as 'vulnerable” was granted bail.

Mr Forbes and Hamilton's advocate Tony Lenehan for Hamilton will give their pleas in mitigation then