'Just a clip around the ear'

Lancashire Police apologised to the family of Sajjad Mahmood four years after his death and said the way his mother Nighat had been dealt with over a ten-day period was 'poor'.

But the 18-year-old's family said they were seeking legal advice after a police inspector had been found guilty of neglect of duty and a sergeant of abuse of authority.

The decision will remain on their record for three years.

Sajjad's body was found in Hagg Lodge, close to Accrington's Asda store in Hyndburn Road, in April, 1998.

Police failed to take action despite being told by his mother, Nighat, of Charter Street, Accrington, that she had been told his body was in the lodge.

She had visited Accrington police station nine times to report her concerns.

Mrs Mahmood's husband, Ashrad, said today: "A black mark on a file for three years is nothing.

"I have lost my son and they made things worse. They were incompetent and treated us very badly.

"How can we be sure the police won't get it wrong again?

"Disciplining two officers like this is just a clip round the ear and I am not happy about it.

"The men who attacked him only got short sentences and now the officers who hurt me so much can carry on as normal.

"This is the first time it has been recognised we have been wronged and we are pleased about that but really this is nothing.

"It has made our agony last so much longer.

"We will never have Sajjad back but at least we want to know that the officers who failed us have been made an example of and things have changed but we don't even have that."

Three men were jailed over the death of Sajjad. James Butler, 21, of Persia Street, was jailed for a total of 10 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter and the possession of drugs with the intent to supply.

Wayne Kelly, 23, of Royds Street, Accrington, and Karl Barton, 22, of Manor Gardens, Church, each received six years for grievous bodily harm and drugs offences.

A court in Preston was told they had put CS spray into Sajjad's eyes before frog-marching him to the lodge.

They maintained they had intended to humiliate him by making him walk back through the town soaking wet, but left him before he could get out.

The Police Complaints Authority recommended 18 police officers who dealt with Mrs Mahmood over the 10 days before Sajjad's body was found should face a disciplinary hearing in front of Chief Constable Pauline Clare.

Of that 18, six were simply given what police described as 'words of advice' from a deputy chief constable.

Of the 12 who faced a disciplinary hearing, 10 were cleared by the chief constable after legal arguments.

A police inspector was found guilty of neglect of duty and a sergeant of incivility, or abuse of authority.

Mehmuda Mian, the PCA member who supervised the inquiry, said: "I welcome the way the Constabulary has apologised to Sajjad's family.

"Mrs Mahmood was treated in an appalling way at Accrington Police Station and there was a wholly inadequate response.

"I am pleased this has been recognised. All section of the community must be able to trust the police."

One of the officers was said by assistant chief constable Julia Hodson to have accepted the punishment, while the other has 21 days to appeal. Neither officer now works in Accrington.

She said: "We are very sorry for the upset and distress the Mahmood family has been caused.

"Lancashire Constabulary recognises that the quality of service Mrs Mahmood initially received was of a poor standard.

"Valuable lessons have been learned and four years on from the tragic death of Sajjad the Constabulary has built upon this experience and moved forward. "

Superintendent John Thompson, now in charge of Eastern Division, added: "A reprimand is a very serious disciplinary matter.

"We will be sending officers out into the community to explain what has happened and how things have improved. We have a good relationship with all sections of the community in Accrington and we will work hard to build on that."

The Police Federation said the hearing had placed a tremendous strain on the officers and their families.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I agree with Lancashire Constabulary that the help and service given to the Mahmood family in this tragic case was well below that which any of my constituents has a right to expect.''