Prison for disgraced former Constable after guilty verdicts?

Friday 06 June 2014

A former States Member could face jail after a jury found him guilty of ten counts of misconduct in public office for using parish funds to buy appliances and building supplies for himself.

Graeme Butcher has been on trial all week in the Royal Court over offences committed when he was Constable of St John. A jury found him guilty of ten out of 15 counts of misconduct in public office, offences the prosecution said took place when Butcher used the parish credit card to pay for petrol, home appliances and a bathroom suite on which he tried to avoid paying GST.

The offences relate to the period from December 2006 until November 2011, when Butcher resigned as Constable.

Butcher took the stand yesterday and told the jury that he had always intended to pay back the money.

“All the things that have happened, I’m not denying that,” said Mr Butcher, “I’m denying the intent.”

The case has been remanded for sentencing, and having been convicted of ten counts of misconduct in public office Butcher faces the very real prospect of imprisonment.