Tony Lundy
Encyclopedia
Tony Lundy was a Detective Superintendent within the Metropolitan Police Service
, most famous for his involvement in the 'supergrass' trials of criminals in the 1970s and 1980s.
, who, faced with a hefty prison sentence for his part in leading his gang of armed robbers, the 'Wembley Mob', decided to turn 'Queen's Evidence' against his fellow thieves which resulted in them receiving heavy prison sentences whilst Smalls was granted immunity from prosecution. Although after the Smalls trial immunity could no longer be granted, criminals who turned supergrass could expect to be rewarded with the 'supergrass tariff', normally a sentence of around five years, most of which would be spent in police custody.
. His first success was with David Smith in September of that year. Smith was involved in a wages snatch in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, along with George Williams, who too turned supergrass. Smith's confession resulted in sixty nine people being charged, of which ninety per cent pleaded guilty. Lundy was also involved in the initial investigation into Harry MacKenny and John Childs, who was the first serial murderer in modern times to turn supergrass.
in 1988 on ill-health grounds suffering from stress. He was investigated in October 1994 and the Crown Prosecution Service
stated they had found no evidence to prosecute Lundy. Lundy stated that throughout the investigation he had not once been interviewed. He also sold his story to the News of the World, entitled 'Bent or Brilliant?' He now resides in Spain.
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
, most famous for his involvement in the 'supergrass' trials of criminals in the 1970s and 1980s.
Supergrasses
Throughout the 1970s, the supergrass was a feared tool that the police had begun using which is generally considered to have begun with Bertie SmallsBertie Smalls
Derek Creighton "Bertie" Smalls is considered by many as Britain's first supergrass. Although there have been informers throughout history - the Kray twins were partly convicted two years before Smalls on evidence given by Leslie Payne - the Smalls case was significant for three reasons: the...
, who, faced with a hefty prison sentence for his part in leading his gang of armed robbers, the 'Wembley Mob', decided to turn 'Queen's Evidence' against his fellow thieves which resulted in them receiving heavy prison sentences whilst Smalls was granted immunity from prosecution. Although after the Smalls trial immunity could no longer be granted, criminals who turned supergrass could expect to be rewarded with the 'supergrass tariff', normally a sentence of around five years, most of which would be spent in police custody.
Early successes
In May 1977 Lundy, then a Detective Chief Inspector, rejoined the flying squadFlying Squad
The Flying Squad is a branch of the Specialist Crime Directorate, within London's Metropolitan Police Service. The Squad's purpose is to investigate commercial armed robberies, along with the prevention and investigation of other serious armed crime...
. His first success was with David Smith in September of that year. Smith was involved in a wages snatch in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, along with George Williams, who too turned supergrass. Smith's confession resulted in sixty nine people being charged, of which ninety per cent pleaded guilty. Lundy was also involved in the initial investigation into Harry MacKenny and John Childs, who was the first serial murderer in modern times to turn supergrass.
Retirement
Lundy retired from the Metropolitan PoliceMetropolitan police
Metropolitan Police is a generic title for the municipal police force for a major metropolitan area, and it may be part of the official title of the force...
in 1988 on ill-health grounds suffering from stress. He was investigated in October 1994 and the Crown Prosecution Service
Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service, or CPS, is a non-ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in England and Wales. Its role is similar to that of the longer-established Crown Office in Scotland, and the...
stated they had found no evidence to prosecute Lundy. Lundy stated that throughout the investigation he had not once been interviewed. He also sold his story to the News of the World, entitled 'Bent or Brilliant?' He now resides in Spain.