Prison for police officer and PCSO as judge accuses force of failings over murder misconduct
A police force was criticised in open court for its failings after a former officer and ex-PCSO were jailed for how they dealt with a disabled mans complaints just 48 hours before he was brutally murdered.
A police force was criticised in open court for its failings after a former officer and ex-PCSO were jailed for how they dealt with a disabled mans complaints just 48 hours before he was brutally murdered.
Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, was punched and kicked to death and his body set alight by in Bristol nearly three years ago, amid false claims he was a paedophile.
PC Kevin Duffy, 52, and PCSO Andrew Passmore, 56, were convicted last year of criminal misconduct in connection with the death and dismissed by Avon and Somerset Constabulary in January.
On Tuesday (February 9) PC Duffy was sent to prison for ten months and PCSO Passmore for four months.
Judge Neil Ford QC, the Recorder of Bristol, said the pair had “betrayed” the public`s trust but also cited force weaknesses before Mr Ebrahimi`s death.
“It is with a heavy heart that in each of your cases I take the view that only a custodial sentence is appropriate,” Judge Ford said.
“You have already lost your careers and in each of your cases there is genuine justification for mercy.
But he added: “You must not bear the responsibilities for the wider failings in the police which were beyond your control.”
Avon and Somerset Constabulary, in admitting it had failed Mr Ebrahimi, confirmed the force is beginning misconduct hearings with 15 officers and members of staff.
An earlier hearing was told that PC Duffy and PCSO Passmore let their dislike of the victim influence their approach to a “toxic situation” outside his home where a neighbour was threatening to take the law into his own hands.
Mr Ebrahimi had called police for help in the days before he was killed. But all that transpired was a mob gathered outside his home before he was arrested on suspicion of breaching the peace.
He was released without charge the following day and made 12 desperate calls to the police on its 101 number hoping that PC Duffy, a neighbourhood beat manager, would visit him.
Despite being asked to investigate, PC Duffy branded Mr Ebrahimi a perpetual liar and said he was too busy to see him.
Former soldier Passmore was sent to patrol the area and later told murder detectives he had been there for an hour, but actual stayed for just minutes.
Mr Ebrahimi had a history of disputes with his neighbours in Capgrave Crescent in Brislington.
On July 11, 2013, he filmed James drinking beer while playing with his young daughters on a communal green.
James wrongly believed that Mr Ebrahimi had been filming his children for sexual gratification and burst into his flat.
Mr Ebrahimi dialled 999 and two police officers, PC Leanne Winter and PC Helen Harris, arrived to find James crying with anger and frothing at the mouth.
PCs Winter and Harris arrested Mr Ebrahimi for breaching the peace and led him out in handcuffs in front of a crowd, who jeered and taunted him.
“There was a developing theme of Mr Ebrahimi saying that he didn`t feel safe and that a crowd was outside,” the judge said.
PC Henrietta Staveley-Brown emailed Duffy warning of “vigilante issues” after visiting the estate that day.
The officer also raised concerns to a sergeant and inspector but no patrols were arranged in what Judge Ford described as a “serious failing”.
Mr Ebrahimi was informed that Duffy would visit, but the officer refused to see him.
“My life is in danger. Right now a few of my neighbours are outside and shouting and calling me a paedophile. I need to see PC Duffy,” Mr Ebrahimi told one operator.
Duffy told a supervisor: “It`s Mr Bijan Ebrahimi. He`s well known to me and I won`t be taking any calls from him.”
The judge said Duffy`s refusal to visit or speak to Mr Ebrahimi, whom he regarded as a “nuisance”, was a serious failing.
But he added there was “much doubt” that Duffy could have prevented the murder.
Passmore drove to the estate after being asked to conduct a “bit of a foot patrol” by Duffy that evening, July 12, and spent two minutes outside.
Judge Ford said Passmore had “no need” to lie to murder detectives and claim that he had p