R v Bunting & Wagner (No 4) No. Sccrm-01-205

The case of R v Bunting & Wagner (No 4) No. Sccrm-01-205 involved the appellants, Bunting and Wagner, who were charged with various offences related to the illegal installation of listening devices at a residence. The trial judge considered whether the evidence obtained through these devices was admissible, given the circumstances of their installation. The case reached the court, which had to determine the admissibility of the evidence and whether the warrants issued for the installation of the devices were valid.

The primary legal issue before the court was whether the warrants issued for the installation of the listening devices were valid and if the evidence obtained through these devices was admissible in the trial. This issue hinged on whether the police officers who installed the devices were acting under the control and direction of the Chief Inspector, as required by the warrants. The court also had to consider whether the evidence obtained from the devices was admissible, given the circumstances of their installation.

The court found that the warrants were valid, as the Chief Inspector was exercising operational control over the officers who installed the devices. The court accepted that the Chief Inspector was in a concealed position close to the premises and maintained constant contact with the officers through radio and mobile telephones, thereby exercising control and direction. The court also found that the evidence obtained from the devices was admissible, as the installation and removal of the devices were carried out in accordance with the warrants.

In conclusion, the court ruled that the warrants issued for the installation of the listening devices were valid, and the evidence obtained through these devices was admissible. The court found that the Chief Inspector was exercising operational control over the officers who installed the devices, and the installation and removal of the devices were carried out in accordance with the warrants. The court's decision confirmed the admissibility of the evidence obtained through the devices in the trial against Bunting and Wagner.