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Family anger at murder probe 'whitewash'

1/ 7/2002

THE family of a teenager whose body was found in a Lancashire lodge is demanding a public inquiry into what they describe as a police whitewash.

The Mahmood family of Charter Street, Accrington, are devastated and angry that a lengthy inquiry into why police ignored vital information concerning the death of their 19-year-old son Sajjad has ended without any serious punishments being handed out against incompetent officers.

Sajjad was beaten to death by three drug dealers and his body dumped into Hagg Lodge, Accrington in April 1998. They were jailed for manslaughter and grievous body harm as well as drug offences.

When Sajjad's mother, Nighat Mahmood, went to Accrington police station and said the family had heard that his body was in the lodge police refused to act suggesting he may have run away from home because he was facing an arranged marriage. The family kept on pressing the police to make a search. They finally did days later discovering Sajjad's body in the water.

But by that time the family says vital evidence as to how Sajjad met his dearth was lost allowing the killers to escape a charge of murder. After the family complained of the way police investigated Sajjad's death, the Police Complaints Authority launched their own investigation and recommended that 18 officers face a disciplinary hearing.

But after the hearing Lancashire police cleared 10 officers, gave "words of advice" to six others and reprimanded two - an inspector and a sergeant. They say the matter is now closed.

Sajjad's father, Arshad Mahmood, secretary of the Antley Street Mosque, said the police action represent a mere "clip round the ear". "We are utterly disgusted," he said.

"The whole community shares our anger because these officers who showed such negligence are still responsible for security in the Accrington area. They have got away free while we are still in agony."

He said they had not demands a public inquiry earlier because they trusted the Police Complains Authority. "They said no stone would be left unturned but it looks as though they wanted to hush us up. They should be called the police cover-up authority.

"We want a public inquiry now and we are investigating if the officers can be prosecuted under the 1976 Race Relations Act for showing racially prejudicial behaviour to us."

Lancashire police have refused to name any of the officers involved in the disciplinary hearings but they have apologised to the Mahmood family. Assistant Chief Constable Julia Hodson claimed valuable lessons had been learned from the investigation in police behaviour.

She said: "We are sorry for the upset and distress the Mahmood family has been caused. The Lancashire Constabulary recognises that the quality of service Mrs Mahmood initially received was of a poor standard. We regret the fact that some of our staff were less than supportive to her in her time of need."

Miss Mehumuda Mian who supervised the PCA inquiry said: "Mrs Mahmood was treated in a most appalling way at Accrington police station and there was a wholly inadequate response. I am pleased this has now been recognised by the force."