Misconduct case prosecutor faces corruption charge

A senior prosecutor accused of misconduct in public office could face an additional charge of corruption, a court heard today.

Sarfwaz Ibrahim was suspended from work in the Gwent section of the Crown Prosecution Service after his arrest last month.

The 50-year-old, from Cyncoed, Cardiff, south Wales, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for the first time today to face the charge.

With him was co-defendant Saifur Khan, 36, of Pen-y-Lan, Cardiff, who is charged with aiding and abetting misconduct in public office.

Both men also face a charge of perverting the course of justice.

The offences are alleged to have happened between June and August this year.

Sandip Patel, prosecuting, told the court today that Ibrahim benefited by £20,000 from his alleged misconduct.

He added that an application to the Attorney General was being made to also charge Ibrahim with corruption.

He explained that before such an application can be granted the Attorney General has to see the case papers which were still being processed.

Mr Patel said that an application would also be made to change the venue of any future trial from Swansea to another location, possibly London.

He said that in addition to the Gwent area, Ibrahim had worked in the Bristol and Gloucester areas.

Judge John Diehl adjourned the case for a plea and case management hearing on November 20.

Both men were released on conditional bail.