THE father of tragic death teenager Sajjad Mahmood today welcomed news that a report into the handling of his son's disappearance was being considered by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Police Complaints Authority confirmed to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last week that a report compiled into why it took police officers in Accrington 10 days to investigate Sajjad's disappearance, has been handed over to the CPS.

It will consider if any criminal charges such as dereliction of duty should follow.

Sajjad, 18, of Royds Street, died when he was beaten up by three drug dealers and thrown into Haggs Lodge, near to Asda's Accrington store, in Hyndburn Road, in April, 1998.

In May 1999, James Butler, 20, of Persia Street, Accrington, was jailed at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to manslaughter, while his accomplices, Karl Barton, 21, of Manor Gardens and Wayne Kelly, 22, of Pearl Street, both Accrington, were both found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent.

They admitted drugs offences at the trial at Preston Crown Court. Butler was jailed for 10 years and his accomplices received six years.

A post mortem examination revealed that Sajjad had been badly beaten before he was killed, but failed to discover the exact cause of death.

The PCA began investigating the case when it was reported that it took police 10 days to find Sajjad's body.

Mrs Nighat Mahmood claims to have searched the lodge herself before police eventually took up the case -- 10 days after Sajjad was first reported missing.

Today, Arshad Mahmood, Sajjad's father, of Charter Street, Accrington, said: "We are pleased that at last this matter is being investigated thoroughly. Hopefully, we will soon know the whole story."

A spokesman for the PCA said: "If the report is returned to us without charges being brought by the CPS, we will decide if any disciplinary action should be taken."