Further memorandum from Mark Thomas
TORTURE EQUIPMENT
AT THE
IFSEC EXHIBITION MAY
2007
(1) The police arrested and detained Mr
Xia on the 24th of May 2007 after it was reported that he was
discharging electro shock equipment at his stall in the exhibition.
(2) I was phoned twice on that day by the
police, whom I told I had filmed the conversations with myself
and Mr Xia (AKA Mr Shar). The conversations Mr Xia offered to
demonstrate the batons, discharged them and then discussed costs—quoting
prices and discounts available, manufacture lead times and shipping
details.
(3) I phoned the police on the 4th of June
to speak to find out what was happening with Mr Xia. After several
calls the press office finally told me Mr Xia had pleaded guilty
to a charge of possession of prohibited section 5 firearms, and
would be sentenced on the 22nd of June.
(4) Inspector Grant from Solihull CID phoned
later and asked if I had footage of the conversation I had with
Mr Xia, wherein he quoted prices etc. Inspector Grant then asked
if I could come up and see him, he asked for the footage (which
I was happy to hand to him) and he also asked for copies of the
relevant legislation. I went to Solihull police station on the
11th June, showed Inspector Grant the footage and promotional
materials Mr Xia had.
(5) I transferred the tape onto DVD and
handed it to officers from Solihull later in the week and gave
a witness statement.
(6) On the 22nd of June Inspector Grant
phoned me and said that Mr Xia was not being charged with brokering
or attempting to sell prohibited weapons. CID had he assured me
handed the film and statement to the CPS who had "decided
not to bring charges, as they regarded Mr Xia as just a stool
for the big boys." Mr Xia was deported, after serving a month
on remand and having pleaded guilty to possession of prohibited
firearms.
(7) There remains significant questions
of the CPS as to why they did not bring a case when the evidence
was obviously there. Once again the chance to enforce the legislation
has been missed.
June 2007
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