Jury out in chopper copper trial

Two officers, Matthew Lucas (43) and Lee Walls (48), current pilot Matthew Loosemore (45) and retired pilot Malcolm Reeves (64), are charged with misconduct in a public office, which they deny.

Former camera operator Adrian Pogmore (50), of Whiston — described as “swinging and sex-obsessed” during the three-week trial — has admitted the same offence.

Footage of sunbathers and amorous couples — recorded between 2007 and 2012 — was found at Pogmore’s home, the court heard.

Pogmore’s colleagues are accused of colluding with him to make the films, but they deny any part, placing the blame entirely on Pogmore, who has been sacked from South Yorkshire Police.

Reeves, of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, was chief pilot during two of the recordings but claims he did not know Pogmore, who was sitting in the front with him, filming a woman sunbathing naked in her Wentworth garden.

Speaking in court on Tuesday, Mr Keir Monteith, defending for Reeves, asked expert witness, Mark Jackson, if the footage of the woman was Reeves “working together with the front seat observer to produce the footage?”

Helicopter pilot Mr Jackson replied: “Absolutely not.” Asked if the footage showed Reeves working with someone to produce good imagery, he answered: “Absolutely not... he’s meandering around doing other stuff.”

Cross-examining prosecutor, Richard Wright QC, told Mr Jackson: “You are an experienced pilot, that does not give you skills in mind reading and so we have no idea what was said in the cockpit, what was discussed, what the crew were communicating to each other.”

Walls (46), of Southlands Way, Aston, denies one count of misconduct, Lucas (42), of Chapeltown, denies three, Loosemore (45), of Auckley in Doncaster, denies one and Reeves (64), of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, denies two.