Man who paid witness £600 walks from court - but faces £26k legal bill

A man who paid a witness £600 “to bolster a true defence” in his trial has walked from court - but faces a £26,000 legal bill.

Richard Hannan escaped tougher punishment as a judge found he was only trying to get a witness to tell the truth.

The 30-year-old stood trial accused of taking part in violence on Cranberry, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough in the early hours of December 27 last year.

Hannan was cleared on charges of affray and witness intimidation.

He was convicted of only one count - perverting the course of justice between April 9 and 29.

Rupert Doswell, defending, said a defendant found guilty of this charge would usually be looking at a prison sentence.

But he told Teesside Crown Court today there were no threats to the witness - and the result of the trial was a situation he had not encountered before.

“Money had been paid to bolster a true defence," said Mr Doswell. “There can be no other interpretation of the verdicts.”

He said Hannan, of The Garth, Coulby Newham, had suffered financially - not just the £600 he handed over at the time, but the contribution he must make to Legal Aid.

“He has been asked for some £26,000 in contributions,” added Mr Doswell.

He said Hannan had previous convictions but had been out of trouble for five years: “This was an unfortunate blip on that record.

“He works full-time. He is in permanent work. He tells me he earns between £2,500 and £3,000 a month.”

Judge Tony Briggs told Hannan: “Quite clearly the main charge and most important and serious matters that were levelled against you related to affray and witness intimidation.

“You were acquitted of both those matters.

“It is not a matter of doubt that you did pay money to a witness, your case being that you were endeavouring to get him to tell the truth.

“Any sort of interfering with the judicial system and attempting to influence a witness in giving evidence, of whatever nature, is obviously serious and normally attracts custody if it happens.

“The unusual nature of this particular case is perfectly plain in the verdicts.”

He gave Hannan a one-year conditional discharge.