do not judge...

"Exercise judgement no matter what harm it will do..." was broadcaster Alan Jones perplexing opening statement as he launched ex-cop Roger "Dodger" Rogerson's autobiography at the former gangster drinking hole, the Iron Duke pub.

Exercising judgement hasn't really been a Jones trait over the years. Like the infamous
"cash for comments scandal" when it was discovered he was receiving millions of dollars in secret payments to weave product mentions into his daily broadcast show.

And when a batch of correspondence was released between he and fragrant monarchist David Flint (left), who as head of the government broadcasting authority ABA was investigating the brouhaha. They sounded for all the world like love letters and led to Flint's resignation.

He avoided judgement when charges were dropped after his arrest for impropriety in a Piccadilly Circus toilet in London, with the aid of a friend, the novelist Jeffrey Archer

He did exercise judgement of a type when as a tutor at the very expensive private boarding school Kings. Former pupils recalled in the Chris Master's biography 'Jonestown' , of Alan's fierce temper as he would fling solid wood blackboard dusters at a young lads head with a deadly accurate aim. Other say they were so terrified of attending his classes that they would wet themselves in fear.

But good judgement appeared to be lacking when at the King's year's end school concert , the then slim Jones burst on to stage in purple bell-bottoms and belted out "If I ruled the World" ( from the West End musical Pickwick Papers ) in falsetto to a startled audience, stunned into silence when they realised he was for real.

With better judgement he might give up those troubling matching ties and handkerchiefs or those pink shirts and pullovers that accentuate his pink complexion.

As for the Dodger- he just looked unsteady on his legs. A much smaller man than expected for someone who shot 3 men dead and was renowned as a 'gang buster" (while apparently working with them at the same time) was implicated but cleared in the attempted assassination of honest cop Michael Drury who refused to take bribes.

Most of those in attendance at the book launch, assorted lawyers and former cops and some very hard looking men had kind words for Rogerson. Just don't mention his name to anyone currently serving in the police force.

As he downed another beer Roger said "most people think I'm the most evil man in town". He wobbled slightly, gripped the bar and looked rather frail.