A MAJOR report exploring why police took ten days to find the body of a savagely beaten teenager could result in officers being disciplined.

The investigation into the way Lancashire police handled the the disappearance and killing of an Accrington teenager is virtually complete.

Sajjad Mahmood (pictured) died after he was beaten up by three drug dealers and thrown into a former mill lodge close to the town's Asda supermarket.

Sajjad's distraught family claimed their fears for their missing 18-year-old son were initially ignored by the police.

Sajjad's mother claims she repeatedly told the police where the youngster's body was and searched the lodge herself when they failed to act.

Ten days after his death police frogmen finally found Sajjad Mahmood's body in the lodge.

The Police Complaints Authority report, which has taken months to complete, is thought to contain strong criticism of the police. Senior officers from Greater Manchester Police worked on the document and have interviewed all the officers involved in the manhunt and investigation.

The report is going through a final check and the finished document is expected at the PCA by the end of the month.

A decision will then be taken on whether to prosecute or discipline any of the police officers involved.

Sajjad's family claimed the police ignored repeated pleas for action even though rumour was rife in the town that Sajjad had been killed.

Shopworkers at Accrington Asda raised the alarm after Sajjad's mother was found in a distressed condition at the lodge but their concerns were ignored.

In May last year James Butler was jailed after pleading guilty to manslaughter and his accomplices Karl Barton and Wayne Kelly were found guilty of committing grievous bodily harm with intent.

All three admitted drugs offences at the trial at Preston Crown Court. Butler was sent to prison for ten years and his accomplices were each jailed for six years.

An internal inquiry into the way the case was handled was launched by the police following the trial.

Police also reviewed the way reports of missing persons are handled in Lancashire and have changed the system.

A spokesman for the PCA said: "This is a very long and detailed report which has taken some months to complete. The report is now in the stage where it is being checked for any inaccuracies.

"Once we get the final findings then we will consider whether it needs to be forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service.

"We will also liaise with Lancashire police on whether there needs to be changes to any internal disciplinary procedures which need to be carried out."