[2025] EWHC 2684 (KB)

DC Wilcox joined Norfolk Constabulary as a cadet in 1976. He became a Detective Constable in May 1993, and in August 1994 became the controlled drug inspector (also known as the Chemist Inspection Officer) in the force drugs squad. In 2005 he was given the role in the new money laundering team in the economic crime and computer unit. He retired as a police officer in August 2009 and from a subsequent role as a civilian investigator in 2014.

DC Wilcox stated that during his career he never applied for a restraint order that was not granted. He estimated that overall he applied for and managed over 50 restraint orders, with the order in this case being the only one that was challenged.

I have already dealt with DC Wilcox’s interaction with Mrs Breeze and as I have set out, I did not find any of the evidence in relation to the restraint proceedings to be of material assistance in determining the pleaded issues in this case.

DC Wilcox stated that he was “slightly divorced” from the main investigation as his task was financial describing himself as “outside Operation Meridian” and that there was supposed to be “a corridor of air” between the restraint proceedings and the main investigation. He was not part of the MIT and not tasked to do anything within the investigation. However he liaised with the team in relation to the drugs related allegation against Mr Wilson and remembered an enquiry from DS Brownsell in respect of the Royal College of Nursing. This was because of his previous experience and familiarity with the professional bodies, meaning that he knew who to contact. DC Flynn also gave evidence that he asked DC Wilcox about some financial terms.

Challenged as to his belief in the guilt of the Claimants DC Wilcox stated that he had an honest belief that there were reasonable grounds for a restraint order and reasonable grounds to believe that the Claimants had benefited from criminal conduct. I accept that evidence, His Honour Judge Elwen was also similarly satisfied or an order would not have been made.