A Police Sergeant and two Police Constables (PCs), suspected to have corruptly conspired to help a businessman avoid prosecution for drink driving, were arrested by the ICAC yesterday (Thursday).

Also arrested were the wife of one of the PCs and two businessmen involved in the traffic accident.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint.

Investigation revealed that the two businessmen arrested were involved in a traffic accident at the junction of Jordan Road and Nathan Road in the morning of September 22 this year. While one of them was the driver, the other one was in the front seat wh en the accident took place.

It is believed that the driver, who had past convictions for drink driving, was intoxicated at the time.

To avoid prosecution for repeated drink driving offences, the genuine driver arranged for his friend in the front seat to stand in for him.

It was alleged that with the corrupt assistance of the three arrested police officers, the ‘'91scapegoat’ was allowed to falsely claim to be the driver.

It was also revealed that the ‘'91scapegoat’ did not possess a driving licence.

Both of them were subsequently charged by the Police with traffic offences and appeared at San Po Kong Court yesterday in the company of the two police officers involved.

The ‘'91scapegoat’ was fined $5,000 after admitting to charges of driving without a licence and careless driving. The actual driver pleaded not guilty to permitting other persons to use a vehicle without an insurance and had his case adjourned.

The arrestees, aged between 40 and 45, will be released on ICAC bail. Investigation is continuing.