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| Bristol ex-PC and PCSO jailed over 'vigilante' death | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An ex-police officer and a former PCSO have been jailed for how they dealt with a disabled man who was later murdered in a vigilante attack. | An ex-police officer and a former PCSO have been jailed for how they dealt with a disabled man who was later murdered in a vigilante attack. |
| Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, was killed in Bristol nearly three years ago amid false claims he was a paedophile. | Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, was killed in Bristol nearly three years ago amid false claims he was a paedophile. |
| PCSO Andrew Passmore, 56 and PC Kevin Duffy, 52 were convicted of misconduct in connection with the death and sacked by Avon and Somerset Police. | |
| Duffy was jailed for 10 months and Passmore was jailed for four months. | Duffy was jailed for 10 months and Passmore was jailed for four months. |
| Judge Neil Ford QC, the Recorder of Bristol, said it was with "a heavy heart" that he took the view that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. | |
| 'Justification for mercy' | |
| Family members of Duffy and Passmore gasped as the sentences were passed. | |
| "It doesn't seem to me a proper consequence of your wrongdoing that the sentences need be long," the judge said. | |
| "You have already suffered greatly. You have already lost your careers and in each of your cases there is genuine justification for mercy. | |
| "You must not bear the responsibilities for the wider failings in the police which were beyond your control." | |
| Iranian-born Mr Ebrahimi was beaten to death by a neighbour outside his flat in Capgrave Crescent, Brislington, and his body was set alight. | Iranian-born Mr Ebrahimi was beaten to death by a neighbour outside his flat in Capgrave Crescent, Brislington, and his body was set alight. |
| Lee James was convicted of his murder in 2013 and is serving a life sentence. Stephen Norley was sentenced to four years for assisting an offender. | Lee James was convicted of his murder in 2013 and is serving a life sentence. Stephen Norley was sentenced to four years for assisting an offender. |
| 'A nuisance' | |
| Last year, a trial at Bristol Crown Court heard how Mr Ebrahimi repeatedly called police for help in the days before his murder but was seen as a nuisance. | Last year, a trial at Bristol Crown Court heard how Mr Ebrahimi repeatedly called police for help in the days before his murder but was seen as a nuisance. |
| The court was told Duffy regarded him as a "liar and a nuisance" and never went to see him, instead requesting Passmore conduct "a bit of a foot patrol" in the vicinity. | The court was told Duffy regarded him as a "liar and a nuisance" and never went to see him, instead requesting Passmore conduct "a bit of a foot patrol" in the vicinity. |
| Four Avon and Somerset officers were accused of letting their dislike of him influence their decision making. | Four Avon and Somerset officers were accused of letting their dislike of him influence their decision making. |
| Kevin Duffy and Andrew Passmore were convicted of misconduct in a public office while Pcs Leanne Winter and Helen Harris were cleared. | Kevin Duffy and Andrew Passmore were convicted of misconduct in a public office while Pcs Leanne Winter and Helen Harris were cleared. |
| The force said Duffy should have known Mr Ebrahimi was in danger but refused to speak to or visit him. | The force said Duffy should have known Mr Ebrahimi was in danger but refused to speak to or visit him. |
| Timeline of Ebrahimi murder and misconduct trials | Timeline of Ebrahimi murder and misconduct trials |
| After the sentencing of Duffy and Andrew Passmore, Avon and Somerset Police said it was "at the beginning" of a number of misconduct hearings and meetings involving 15 members of staff and officers. | |
| "Our sole aim is to fully understand the circumstances around Mr Ebrahimi's treatment by our police officers and staff in the days leading up to his murder," a spokesman said. | |
| The force paid tribute to Mr Ebrahimi's family who it said had "endured protracted legal and procedural processes" with dignity and composure. |