Man to stand trial for alleged false alibi

The man who allegedly provided a false alibi witness statement for coward puncher Samuel Donald Ford is set go to trial.

Jeremy Ethan Gregory pleaded not guilty to conspiring to defeat the course of justice in Albany Magistrate’s Court last Thursday.

His co-accused, Ford, was sentenced to 18 months jail for the same charge in Albany District Court last Monday, with Judge Belinda Lonsdale telling Ford the offence struck “at the very heart of our justice system”.

State prosecutor David Jubb told the court during Ford’s sentencing hearing that the two conspired before Ford made a bail application, on February 22, while in custody for a serious assault.

“In support of that application ... Jeremy Gregory provided a statement to the court that at the time of the original offence, the offender was with him in Mt Barker,” Mr Jubb said.

“That statement was falsely made by the co-accused, Gregory, after (Ford) offered to pay him $20,000 to appear in court as a false alibi witness.”

Mr Gregory is due to appear in the Albany District Court on February 25 for a trial listing hearing.