This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-37767372

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Clash roadie Don Lorenzo arrest: Police face misconduct probe Clash roadie Don Lorenzo arrest: Police face misconduct probe
(35 minutes later)
Eight police officers and a staff member will face misconduct proceedings over the assault and racial abuse of a man during his arrest, a watchdog says.Eight police officers and a staff member will face misconduct proceedings over the assault and racial abuse of a man during his arrest, a watchdog says.
West Midlands Police at first cleared its officers over the arrest of former Clash roadie Don Lorenzo in 2007.West Midlands Police at first cleared its officers over the arrest of former Clash roadie Don Lorenzo in 2007.
But the appeal court later heard he was punched, kicked, dragged down five flights of stairs and racially abused.But the appeal court later heard he was punched, kicked, dragged down five flights of stairs and racially abused.
Eight other officers had no case to answer, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.Eight other officers had no case to answer, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.
Mr Lorenzo, from Birmingham, was awarded £17,000 in damages in October 2011.Mr Lorenzo, from Birmingham, was awarded £17,000 in damages in October 2011.
The county court judgement went against an earlier internal investigation in which the force found it did not need to discipline its officers.The county court judgement went against an earlier internal investigation in which the force found it did not need to discipline its officers.
The IPCC said "previous referrals" about the matter led to its investigation of Mr Lorenzo's complaints about his arrest and detention. He also alleged officers colluded over witness statements about an alleged assault by Mr Lorenzo against an officer in custody.The IPCC said "previous referrals" about the matter led to its investigation of Mr Lorenzo's complaints about his arrest and detention. He also alleged officers colluded over witness statements about an alleged assault by Mr Lorenzo against an officer in custody.
More stories from Birmingham and the Black Country
In addition to the nine people facing misconduct proceedings, two further retired officers were found by West Midlands Police to have cases to answer for gross misconduct and misconduct but no action can be taken against them now, the IPCC said.In addition to the nine people facing misconduct proceedings, two further retired officers were found by West Midlands Police to have cases to answer for gross misconduct and misconduct but no action can be taken against them now, the IPCC said.
The BBC contacted one retired officer involved who declined to comment.The BBC contacted one retired officer involved who declined to comment.
No action will be taken against another former officer who has moved on to a civilian role with a different force. Their new force disagreed there was a case to answer for misconduct, which the IPCC accepted.No action will be taken against another former officer who has moved on to a civilian role with a different force. Their new force disagreed there was a case to answer for misconduct, which the IPCC accepted.
Mr Lorenzo's battleMr Lorenzo's battle
November 2007: Police arrest Mr Lorenzo's at his Edgbaston flat over an assault allegation, later withdrawn. Mr Lorenzo is charged and found guilty of assaulting an officer in custody - his conviction is later quashed on appealNovember 2007: Police arrest Mr Lorenzo's at his Edgbaston flat over an assault allegation, later withdrawn. Mr Lorenzo is charged and found guilty of assaulting an officer in custody - his conviction is later quashed on appeal
2008: An investigation by West Midlands Police's professional standards department finds its officers have no case to answer2008: An investigation by West Midlands Police's professional standards department finds its officers have no case to answer
October 2011: After proving his innocence, Mr Lorenzo pursues legal action and a jury at Birmingham County Court finds he was assaulted and racially abused by officersOctober 2011: After proving his innocence, Mr Lorenzo pursues legal action and a jury at Birmingham County Court finds he was assaulted and racially abused by officers
December 2012: West Midlands Police fails in its appeal against the judgement at the Royal Courts of Justice in LondonDecember 2012: West Midlands Police fails in its appeal against the judgement at the Royal Courts of Justice in London
June 2013: The IPCC decides to investigate Mr Lorenzo's treatment in 2007 and the 2008 internal investigationJune 2013: The IPCC decides to investigate Mr Lorenzo's treatment in 2007 and the 2008 internal investigation
Mr Lorenzo was a roadie with rock band The Clash before he became a drummer, but he said injuries to his wrist during his 2007 arrest ended that.Mr Lorenzo was a roadie with rock band The Clash before he became a drummer, but he said injuries to his wrist during his 2007 arrest ended that.
A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed the force spent £149,143.90 on legal fees - it had to cover its own and was told to repay Mr Lorenzo's - in failing to refute Mr Lorenzo's claims in the appeal court.A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed the force spent £149,143.90 on legal fees - it had to cover its own and was told to repay Mr Lorenzo's - in failing to refute Mr Lorenzo's claims in the appeal court.
Mr Lorenzo told the BBC: "The force have tried to defend what was indefensible but I am no longer surprised as this denial has always been part of their philosophy, 'never admit anything', just use a defence to discredit.Mr Lorenzo told the BBC: "The force have tried to defend what was indefensible but I am no longer surprised as this denial has always been part of their philosophy, 'never admit anything', just use a defence to discredit.
"Unfortunately the force are still in denial that racism in their ranks is still prevalent so they will use the resources they have to defend that stance and hope that complaints such as mine will just go away.""Unfortunately the force are still in denial that racism in their ranks is still prevalent so they will use the resources they have to defend that stance and hope that complaints such as mine will just go away."
West Midlands Police said it was "aware" of this investigation and would work alongside the IPCC during ongoing misconduct proceedings.