Police Nathan Evans and Thomas Horsburgh face perjury and professional misconduct allegations

Two Latrobe Valley detectives have found themselves on the other side of the law as they face allegations of perjury after an attempted car intercept.

Two Latrobe Valley detectives fronted court on January 30, facing perjury allegations and other serious charges after an attempted car intercept in 2020.

Two Latrobe Valley detectives accused of making false reports and lying in statements are set to face Melbourne Magistrates’ later this year.

Nathan Evans, 32, and Thomas Horsburgh, 32, appeared in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 30, facing serious charges including professional misconduct, knowingly making false statements and perverting the course of justice.

The two regional coppers were hit with the charges following an attempted car intercept in Longwarry in 2020, where they claimed the driver “recklessly exposed an emergency worker to risk by driving”.

In court documents seen by the Herald Sun, Mr Evans said he and Mr Horsburgh had intercepted a driver of a white Mercedes, and during the traffic stop had himself “opened the driver side door to the vehicle” and leaned his body into the car.

The following alleged false statement made by Mr Evans claimed the accused driver had “suddenly hit the accelerator with half his upper torso still in the car”.

Mr Horsburgh’s alleged false statements supported these claims.

In court on Tuesday, DPP counsel Angela Liantzakis submitted a request to Victoria Police for body cam footage and the electronic brief relating to the incident.

Both men will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 15 for a committal mention.