POLICE today revealed an investigation into "irregularities" in the handling of the disappearance of Accrington teenager Sajjad Mahmood after three people were convicted in connection with his death.

Mr Mahmood's body was found in Haggs Lodge, Accrington, 10 days after he went missing in March, 1998.

His family claim police repeatedly ignored pleas to investigate the disappearance of the 18-year-old supermarket worker.

Lancashire Police today revealed they had launched an investigation which is being supervised by the Police Complaints Authority.

Karl Barton, 22, and Wayne Kelly, 23, were found guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court yesterday of grievous bodily harm with intent. But Barton, of Manor Gardens, Accrington, and Kelly, of Royds Street, Accrington, were cleared of Mr Mahmood's manslaughter.

They will be sentenced on Thursday, along with James Butler, 21, of Persia Street, Accrington, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Another man, 28-year-old Dean Lynch, of York Street, Accrington, will also be sentenced. He admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice by helping Butler gain accommodation while on the run.

During the trial, Barton and Kelly admitted having assaulted Mr Mahmood at a house in Princess Street, Accrington, which was known locally as a haunt of drug dealers. Sajjad was last seen alive at the house. The jury was told Barton, Kelly and Butler had admitted dealing in cannabis and amphetamines from the house.

They denied having anything to do with Mr Mahmood, of Royds Street, ending up in the lake, near the town's Asda supermarket.

During the trial, Preston Crown Court was told a post mortem examination revealed Sajjad had been badly beaten before he was killed, but failed to discover the exact cause of death.

Mr Mahmood's father, Arshad, said police told him his son had probably run away from home. He said: "Everyone in the town was talking about how Sajjad had been killed, but Accrington police would not listen to us."

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said that during the early stages of Mr Mahmood's disappearance, they had become aware of "certain apparent irregularities" concerning the way the inquiry had been handled.

He said: "Accordingly, the Deputy Chief Constable appointed Chief Superintendent Bob Thompson to conduct an internal investigation and the matter was referred voluntarily for supervision by the Police Complaints Authority.

"Since the appointment of the internal investigation team, Sajjad's mother has made a formal complaint essentially covering the same circumstances. The PCA are aware of this and will also supervise this aspect."

The PCA confirmed that they were handling the case.

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