Gilbert Blades - The Scourge of UK MOD Courts Martial
The Value of a Good Solicitor
A couple of years ago, a colleague had the misfortune of having a DII laptop stolen from his desk in MB. The MOD Police regarded this as a simple theft and the officer concerned was regarded as a victim of crime. However the RAF wanted to demonstrate 'leadership' and make an example of this character by demonstrating his negligence (irrespective of the armed guards, x rays, random searches, CCTV etc in place at MB).
He was interviewed by personnel from the Specialist Police Wing twice under PACE. The interviewers and case manager would simply not respond to queries as to whether he was to be charged and why was he suspended. He contacted Golbert Blades, who was unable to assit due to workload, but was recommended a solicitor in London. At the second interview, the solicitor simply asked 'Are you intending to place charges against my Client?' to which the Sgt apparently said, 'err, not sure'. The solicitor then advised his client to withdraw from the interview and walk away, which, of course, he had every right to do, as he was not under arrest and had 'volunteered' to attend the interviews. Of course he had already given statements to the MOD Police, the MB Security Staff, his Branch Head, and so on.
My friend was then called back into London and was interviewed by a VSO (after a weekend of frantic dscussions with senior LEGADS, apparently) and told 'why did you leave the interview?'. He declined to answer unless he had a solicitor present. He was also accused of selling the story to the media (actually, this was as a result of a leak within MOD now under active police investigation) and he refused to be drawn on the matter. The VSO (who has only just left the Service) had him immediately escorted from the building with his possessions in a bin liner; posted the following day and his career blackened simply because he followed due process - and was a victim of crime. He was also reminded - in a letter some monnths later - that although his interview had been 'suspended', the matter was still under investigation. This, of course, has serious repercussions when he applies for jobs and visas...
My colleague has managed to carve out a different and very satisfying career now - I caught up with him on the Belgrano last week at some farewell drinks for a mutual colleague - but is still haunted by the bullying manner in which he was treated, and how craven his Department Head (an otherwise popular and respected 1*) was. So, I suppose, the moral of the story is that one can win a legal argument but the 'system' can still be vindictive and down-right spiteful.
He was interviewed by personnel from the Specialist Police Wing twice under PACE. The interviewers and case manager would simply not respond to queries as to whether he was to be charged and why was he suspended. He contacted Golbert Blades, who was unable to assit due to workload, but was recommended a solicitor in London. At the second interview, the solicitor simply asked 'Are you intending to place charges against my Client?' to which the Sgt apparently said, 'err, not sure'. The solicitor then advised his client to withdraw from the interview and walk away, which, of course, he had every right to do, as he was not under arrest and had 'volunteered' to attend the interviews. Of course he had already given statements to the MOD Police, the MB Security Staff, his Branch Head, and so on.
My friend was then called back into London and was interviewed by a VSO (after a weekend of frantic dscussions with senior LEGADS, apparently) and told 'why did you leave the interview?'. He declined to answer unless he had a solicitor present. He was also accused of selling the story to the media (actually, this was as a result of a leak within MOD now under active police investigation) and he refused to be drawn on the matter. The VSO (who has only just left the Service) had him immediately escorted from the building with his possessions in a bin liner; posted the following day and his career blackened simply because he followed due process - and was a victim of crime. He was also reminded - in a letter some monnths later - that although his interview had been 'suspended', the matter was still under investigation. This, of course, has serious repercussions when he applies for jobs and visas...
My colleague has managed to carve out a different and very satisfying career now - I caught up with him on the Belgrano last week at some farewell drinks for a mutual colleague - but is still haunted by the bullying manner in which he was treated, and how craven his Department Head (an otherwise popular and respected 1*) was. So, I suppose, the moral of the story is that one can win a legal argument but the 'system' can still be vindictive and down-right spiteful.
Last edited by Whenurhappy; 12th Sep 2013 at 07:25.
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There was also a trawl for stenographers in 1998. I was a Cpl at the time and Med Downgraded, facing a med discharge as I was too restricted in any Trade jobs I could do due to the RAF being over cautious. I saw this as an opportunity to change to a trade where I could be productive. Went to apply and was told not to bother as I was downgraded.
As it turned out, I wasnt discharged and stayed in for another 6 years I did find a tour that I could be productive despite the best efforts of the Desk Sgt not to post me
As it turned out, I wasnt discharged and stayed in for another 6 years I did find a tour that I could be productive despite the best efforts of the Desk Sgt not to post me
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Twas me!
Yes, I was one of the lucky ones. Six of us were selected out of about 300 applicants. We did a 2 and a half year training course before we were let loose on the courts, then a couple of years later we had to do another couple of years when everything was computerised. I left in 99, have my own business, emigrated to Florida in 2002 and am now a US Citizen. Out of the 6 originals, 2 failed the course and 4 of us passed. We're all out now and the whole rigamarole has been privatised and handed over to a London firm, who do very well out of it, so I'm told! It's amazing that Gilbert keeps going. He must love what he does!
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In my day if you were facing trial by GM (kangaroo court) it was in you best interests to have the best defence possible, as your were always looked on as guilty until proven innocent. Thankfully I was proven to be innocent. I had Mr blades defend me in the 90's and I have to say I wasn't all that impressed by him. I was heading straight to Colchester until I questioned the prosecutions weak charges myself. I won the day but Mr Blades obviously took the kudos.
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I had the please of GB defend myself in the early 90's. Unfortunately I did spend 6 months in MCTC due to my overeagerness in the crime which I had committed. (ABH) put my FS in hospital as he had what would now be classed as bullying. In the end I just flashed and let rip. If I had only thrown 1 punch I would have walked (As per previous case which GB had won). I though he did a good job as the CM took nearly a week to get me sent down. I did leave as a SNCO after 26 years as a better person.
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Like everyone else, I had heard about this legendary lawyer Gilbert Blades, and wondered whether he was myth, legend, or a mixture of both. Then I was lucky enough to be the court usher at a CM when the legendary Mr Blades was the defending lawyer. To cut a long story short, after the first day of the trial I thought that the poor unfortunate, the accused, was facing an amount of time counting prison bars. That was until the 3rd day, when Mr Blades asked for the court to be cleared to argue a point of law. The only other person in the court other than the panel, and the lawyers under those circumstances, is the court usher. I sat, listened, and watched, as Mr Blades demolished the prosecution case, totally humiliated the prosecuting admin officer, and generally made the RAF look totally incompetent, amateurish and totally out of its depth. I totally changed my point of view about the military undertaking prosecutions which could take away a person's liberty. Liberty is too precious to be arbitrated by an officer corps who think they are, wise, educated, and, all-powerful. On that particular occasion they were exposed to be arrogant, ill-prepared, and foolish. Mr Blades was neither myth nor legend, he was just an extremely articulate, professional, competent lawyer. Qualities which are only optional for a significant number of military officers.
Gentleman Aviator
I have to say I had a similar experience to kapton. GB was defending - he wasn't really that impressive, but still ran rings round the DLS prosecutor, who was after all, also a professional lawyer!
But it didn't take much to run rings around that particular individual........
But it didn't take much to run rings around that particular individual........
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Kapton, as I said before, I was prisoner escort and unknown, a friend of the accused from early training and observer of the accused the day after the alleged offence.
Money spent on a first class barrister was money well spent.
Money spent on a first class barrister was money well spent.
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Blades used to be Lincoln City FC Chairman. He was forced out over thirty years ago.
http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist/ITN/1983/02/28/AS280283012/
http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist/ITN/1983/02/28/AS280283012/
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My experience
After a trip down memory lane I just had the urge to type Gilbert Blades into google tonight and found this thread. Here is my story....
After a long and uneventful career in RAF I was 6 months away from retirement when I had a run-in with a very young RAFP chap who politely told me I couldn’t do what I was about to do.
I politely challenged him and when he asked me to wait while he called OC security, I politely agreed.
OC security arrived and backed up his young chap. I politely challenged him and he stood his ground. I politely asked if he was giving me a direct order, which he replied ‘yes’.
i obeyed and returned to my office.
The very next day while I was writing a report to be used in redress, I got a call from the chief clerk to say I was being charged and would appear before the Stn Cdr very soon.
I picked up the phone and called GB. I told him what happened and he asked what the charge was. “Challenging the authority of the RAFP” I said.
His reply was “Challenging authority?? What is this, Nazi F***king Germany? Go for CM.
So when marched in front of Stn Cdr I elected for CM and marched out.
Next day, I receive a bill from GB for £11.00 :-)
CM was eventually dropped but I swear to this day I would have given up my pension for the CM to have gone ahead... while filling in paperwork prior to the CM, I noticed they had got my service number wrong. Naturally I failed to mention this and I would have loved the opportunity to be marched into the CM on the day.....
Are you Sgt T1234567 Blogs?
No sir !
March him out.
£11.00 well spent.
After a long and uneventful career in RAF I was 6 months away from retirement when I had a run-in with a very young RAFP chap who politely told me I couldn’t do what I was about to do.
I politely challenged him and when he asked me to wait while he called OC security, I politely agreed.
OC security arrived and backed up his young chap. I politely challenged him and he stood his ground. I politely asked if he was giving me a direct order, which he replied ‘yes’.
i obeyed and returned to my office.
The very next day while I was writing a report to be used in redress, I got a call from the chief clerk to say I was being charged and would appear before the Stn Cdr very soon.
I picked up the phone and called GB. I told him what happened and he asked what the charge was. “Challenging the authority of the RAFP” I said.
His reply was “Challenging authority?? What is this, Nazi F***king Germany? Go for CM.
So when marched in front of Stn Cdr I elected for CM and marched out.
Next day, I receive a bill from GB for £11.00 :-)
CM was eventually dropped but I swear to this day I would have given up my pension for the CM to have gone ahead... while filling in paperwork prior to the CM, I noticed they had got my service number wrong. Naturally I failed to mention this and I would have loved the opportunity to be marched into the CM on the day.....
Are you Sgt T1234567 Blogs?
No sir !
March him out.
£11.00 well spent.
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Some years ago, my boss was found to have been creative on a works PC.
OC OPs took me to one side and asked me if he needed to ground the fleet!
"No", said I, "it's an easy fix to restore the status quo."
As LSO on the system, I was called in by RAFP for a "formal interview under caution", did I want a solicitor? "Yes" said I.
GB was in the process of retiring, so I got his No2 - Nigel Burn
Turns out my boss hadn't put in place the required backstops, so by doing my LSO job and reporting the offence ASAP, I was squeeky clean!
As Nigel Burn was my solicitor, the whole GB partnership offices were out of bounds for my boss to use.
He got Neville Squibbly*, a spotty 19-y-o from Hartlepool Polytechnic* as his brief! (*made-up name, *made-up location!)
SDSR10 was looking for redundancies............................!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guess What happened next!!!!!!!!!
OC OPs took me to one side and asked me if he needed to ground the fleet!
"No", said I, "it's an easy fix to restore the status quo."
As LSO on the system, I was called in by RAFP for a "formal interview under caution", did I want a solicitor? "Yes" said I.
GB was in the process of retiring, so I got his No2 - Nigel Burn
Turns out my boss hadn't put in place the required backstops, so by doing my LSO job and reporting the offence ASAP, I was squeeky clean!
As Nigel Burn was my solicitor, the whole GB partnership offices were out of bounds for my boss to use.
He got Neville Squibbly*, a spotty 19-y-o from Hartlepool Polytechnic* as his brief! (*made-up name, *made-up location!)
SDSR10 was looking for redundancies............................!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guess What happened next!!!!!!!!!
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Well this member of said officer corps used the 'system' to help several of those affected by it. Not court martial level but incidents that threatened to affect their careers. It helped when taking on the 'system' that I had a law degree, my own copy of MAFL (not used as a door stop !) and a contact within DLS. It can be done !
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I remember being put on "a fizzer" for some minor indiscretion in a case of mistaken identity with another airman. I knew I was innocent of the charge due to the fact that at the time of the incident I was flying a private aeroplane into Inverness Airport and had my personal flying logbook. the aeroplanes technical log and a copy of the arrivals log with the pilot's name (me) from Inverness Airport. I was still found guilty and fined a nominal sum. In the 1970s I think that the 'orficer didn't like the idea of mere Senior Aircraftmen flying around in private aeroplanes!
Last edited by DC10RealMan; 28th Jun 2023 at 13:03.
Link 95 reminded me of the father of an old friend who served in the 8th Army in 1944.
I well known actor was on the television, and as we were watching ‘dad’ said that he really disliked the man.
Why we asked, and were told that he was his commanding officer at one stage and had him on a ‘fizzer’. He told the actor his alibi, with witnesses to prove it. ‘Dad’ was told that the actor thought it a pack of lies and he was disciplined.
I asked ‘dad’ if he had done it, and was told that of course he had done it, but he had 3 of his mates to say that he hadn’t!
I well known actor was on the television, and as we were watching ‘dad’ said that he really disliked the man.
Why we asked, and were told that he was his commanding officer at one stage and had him on a ‘fizzer’. He told the actor his alibi, with witnesses to prove it. ‘Dad’ was told that the actor thought it a pack of lies and he was disciplined.
I asked ‘dad’ if he had done it, and was told that of course he had done it, but he had 3 of his mates to say that he hadn’t!
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My Charge for driving through the old gate without stopping ( all motorcycles used to at Odiham ) was a charge from the SWO who declared my brake light glowed bright red as I braked to get around the corner and through the gates ( inferring I was also speeding) I pointed out that no matter how fast or slow one was travelling, the brake light only had one intensity..
so he was left with the not stopping at the barrier ( the guard had waved me through, though he couldn't see that from his position and not wanting him to get in the poo, i said yes I had, everyone does)
Awarded a tiny £5 fine that seemed to really piss off the SWO..... who did not know, the very flight commander reading the charge had been waved through the same gap on his moped on many an occasion by myself, when I was on guard.
so he was left with the not stopping at the barrier ( the guard had waved me through, though he couldn't see that from his position and not wanting him to get in the poo, i said yes I had, everyone does)
Awarded a tiny £5 fine that seemed to really piss off the SWO..... who did not know, the very flight commander reading the charge had been waved through the same gap on his moped on many an occasion by myself, when I was on guard.
Having sat as the JM on 2 RAF Regt courtmartials over 3 consecutive days at Lossie in the late 80s, the members of the board went out to a well known location in Findhorn for dinner where we also found the prosecution, the court writer and GB. The latter commented that all we needed now were the defendants.