Reading v. Regem

2 All ER 27 (1948)

Facts

Reading (P) joined the army and was stationed in a hospital in Cairo during the war. In March 1944, P was found in possession of significant sums of money well beyond his means. P apparently had been assisting some sort of illegal smuggling activity wherein he would sit in a lorry in his uniform which would allow it to pass all checkpoints unmolested. For this activity, P was paid some $20,000 in total. There is no doubt that this was a violation of his duties in the British Army. The Military took possession of the monies. P sued to recover them. P claims they are his and should be returned. The Crown contends that they were bribes received during military employment and that he thus held the money for the Crown.