June 18, 2013

Crime History: Notorious Scotland Yard cop busts John Lennon and Yoko Ono

BY: SCOTT MCCABE OCTOBER 17, 2012 | 6:00 PM
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On this day, Oct. 18, in 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were arrested for drug possession at the home they shared in London.

The Georgian rowhouse at 34 Montagu Square was owned by Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and was the location of the nude photo of Lennon and Ono for the cover of their "Two Virgins" album.

The couple was busted by Scotland Yard Detective Sgt. Norman Pilcher, who became famous for arresting pop stars such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, of the Rolling Stones, and George Harrison, of the Beatles.

Lennon pleaded guilty to misdemeanor cannabis possession and was fined. The charges against Ono were dropped.

In 1973, Pilcher was convicted of planting drugs on a suspect and sentenced to four years in prison.

- Scott McCabe

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