Career
After a transfer from the Flying Squad to the Drug Squad in 1967, Norman ("Nobby") Pilcher became notorious for the vigour with which he pinned possession of drugs charges on popular stars and hippies, and for the dubious methods employed in his undercover operations, which included paying off informers with drugs. Eric Clapton only escaped being arrested on drugs charges by Pilcher at The Pheasantry, who rang the doorbell to announce "postman, special delivery", by escaping from the rear of the building. Various celebrities complained that Detective Sergeant Pilcher had framed them, or was only carrying out raids and arrests to satisfy the tabloid newspapers.
As is evident from reports in the alternative press and various histories of that time, it was widely believed that Pilcher was frequently planting the drugs his victims were convicted of possessing, this has never been proved.
Pilcher"s reputation was damaged in the early 1970s, after it was claimed during the drug smuggling trial of Basil Sands, that the defendant (who had been caught red-handed) was innocent, and had been working with the police. After the judge directed the jury to discount any private belief they might have that Pilcher"s superior, Victor Kelaher, was at the centre of a drug smuggling ring, since this was something that should be addressed at a subsequent trial, Sands was convicted and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
On 8 November 1972, Pilcher was charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after it was alleged he had committed perjury. He resigned from the police force before the case came to court.
In September 1973 Pilcher was convicted and sentenced to four years imprisonment.
Pilcher was the subject of the 2003 Primus song Pilcher"s Squadron lieutenant has also been speculated that the lyric "Semolina Pilchard" in The Beatles" song I Am the Walrus refers to Pilcher.
