This is the tale of a web of West End nightlife players who, one by one, were sucked into the orbit of a bad cop. But not a terrible cop, just a sort of greasy, easily led one.

Call girls, drinks, restaurant meals, Metallica tickets, visits to Elton John's house, signed Wayne Rooney shirts, bespoke monogrammed suits: what Frank Partridge received was fairly petty. But soon enough, his corruption had infested the West End's biggest players.

His trial in May of 2023 ended up being one of the biggest police bribery cases of the age, sucking in the owner of the Cirque du Soir nightclub - with its £120 000-a-bottle Jeroboams of champagne, the head of the West End's biggest nightclub security firm (an ex-armed robber), and the bosses of Leicester Square's Dstrkt. Many them were oddly glamorous, moneyed creatures. Many of them are now behind bars.

The trial touched on what modern Soho actually is. And how it really works, in London's after-dark economy.

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About The Show

Each week, Fresh From The Old Bailey tells the story of a case from the Central Criminal Court, or the London Crown Courts. Fresh stories of recent trials, told through the eyes of those who were there. This is real true crime. British justice as it is now — from the people who see justice being done, every single day.

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If you’ve been personally affected by the crimes of Frank Partridge, or if you have other information that might be helpful for a broader investigation, please get in touch through our Gmail: FreshFromTheOldBailey@gmail.com. Discretion assured.

The Sheriff of Soho - Frank Partridge, the crooked cop who made the West End dance to his tune

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