Police officers charged after disabled man's murder

Twelve police staff face misconduct proceedings following a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) into the treatment of Bijan Ebrahimi.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary will issue disciplinary proceedings against a police sergeant and four members of police control room staff over claims of gross misconduct.

Five other officers and two members of police control room staff will also face action over alleged misconduct.

One more member of police control room would have faced gross misconduct but has resigned from the force.

One other police constable who had been subject to investigation was found to have no case to answer.

The IPCC said it is looking at six years of police contact with Ebrahimi prior to his death.

The family of a disabled man who was brutally murdered because some neighbours wrongly believed he was a paedophile have said they are "relieved" after charges were announced against police officers over his treatment.

Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, was beaten to death and his body set on fire by neighbour Lee James in Bristol on 14 July last year after his neighbours wrongly believed the claims.

James, of Capgrave Crescent, Brislington, was given a life sentence for murder, while Stephen Norley, who lived next door, received four years in prison for assisting an offender.

Three police constables and a police community support officer have today been charged with misconduct in a public office following the death.

In a statement, Ebrahimi's family: "We are relieved by this decision and trust the officers will now face the full rigour of the law."

Three police constables and a police community support officer are to be charged with misconduct in a public office following the death of a man in Bristol in 2013.

Bijan Ebrahimi was murdered in July last year because his neighbours wrongly believed him to be a paedophile. Two men have since been jailed in connection with the crime.

Three Avon and Somerset Constabulary PCs - Kevin Duffy, Helen Harris and Leanne Winter - are now to face criminal proceedings for allegedly failing to respond to his calls for help, the Crown Prosecution said.

PCSO Andrew Passmore will be charged over allegations he gave false information to the 999 operator that he was outside Ebrahimi's home at an important time.

He will also be charged with perverting the course of justice.

All four will appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court for a preliminary hearing on 14 January 2015.