Police officers convicted over Ebrahimi death

Two officers at Avon and Somerset police have been convicted of misconduct for the way they handled pleas for help from Bijan Ebrahimi in the days leading to him being falsely branded a paedophile before being beaten to death and set alight.

Ebrahimi, 44, was killed by Lee James and Stephen Norley in a vigilante attack outside his home in Capgrave Crecsent, Brislington, in 2013.

But an investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) accused four police officers of mishandling calls from the Iranian-born man, who was registered disabled, in the run to his death.

PC Kevin Duffy, 52, and PCSO Andrew Passmore, 56, were convicted of misconduct after a trial at Bristol Crown Court. PCs Leanne Winter and Helen Harris were cleared of the same charge.

Avon and Somerset police deputy chief constable Louisa Rolfe said the force had “changed and improved” the way they work since the incident.

“This tragedy should never have happened. A great deal has been done to understand and reflect on the events in the weeks leading up to Mr Ebrahimi’s death. 

“We have changed and improved the way we work and will continue to work with our partners to do everything in our power to prevent such a dreadful event happening again,” she said. Internal misconduct hearings will now take place.

Bijan Ebrahimi: PC and PCSO guilty of misconduct => https://t.co/KaRYQFbliy pic.twitter.com/UdLx7jmNOi

— BBC Points West (@bbcpointswest) December 21, 2015

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said she was “frustrated” that legal proceedings have taken so long for Ebrahimi’s “tragic murder”.

“It is clear that on this occasion the Constabulary failed local people and let down a vulnerable man in his own home.

“This should never have happened. My priority now on behalf of residents is to ensure that above everything else protecting the most vulnerable people within our society is paramount within Avon and Somerset Constabulary.”

Ebrahimi was beaten to death by his neighbours James and Norely who accused him of being a paedophile and his body was set on fire. James is serving a life sentence while Norley is serving four years.

Ebrahimi had called police days before his beating, claiming to have been assaulted by James. When police turned up they arrested Ebrahimi for breach of peace and he was taken away to the cheers of a crowd which gathered in the courtyard.

After being released Ebrahimi called the non-emergency number 101 12 times with further complaints about his neighbours.

He was old Duffy would visit him, but he never showed up. Passmore was told to visit the estate for a foot patrol, but later lied about how long he had spent in the area.

Speaking outside court, Mr Ebrahimi’s sister, Mojgan Khayatian, said the police had failed, the BBC reported.

She said: “Bijan was crying for help not one time, not twice, not three times.

“He made several phone calls and ignoring these phone calls for somebody who’s very vulnerable, who’s got a history of being vulnerable and seeking help from police for years, it was even worse.”

Duffy and Passmore were released on unconditional bail. A date is yet to be fixed for their sentencing next year.