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Habib Ullah death: Family anger over lack of criminal charges | |
(34 minutes later) | |
The family of a man killed in a police search have reacted with anger to the news no charges will be brought against officers over his death. | |
Habib Ullah, 39, collapsed during a routine stop-and-search in a High Wycombe car park in July 2008. | |
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided there was not enough evidence to charge the officers involved. | |
But the police watchdog has found a case to answer for gross misconduct against five Thames Valley officers. | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said they would face hearings as part of an internal disciplinary process. | |
It reopened its investigation into Mr Ullah's death after an inquest was abandoned in 2010. | |
The IPCC referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) earlier this year. | |
Relatives of Mr Ullah, who was from Slough said they were unhappy with the CPS's decision. | |
His sister Nasrit Mahmood said: "Not only is it my opinion that the police officers caused my brother's death, but they have not given a full and truthful account. | |
"How on earth can CPS disregard the facts? | |
"This is not justice for us and we will not give up until justice is served, and that is a promise." | |
Breathing problems | Breathing problems |
Mr Ullah was part of a group searched while they were sitting in a car in High Wycombe. | Mr Ullah was part of a group searched while they were sitting in a car in High Wycombe. |
Officers said they believed he was hiding a package of drugs in his mouth. | Officers said they believed he was hiding a package of drugs in his mouth. |
During the search, he had breathing problems and later died in hospital. | |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) conducted an investigation into Mr Ullah's death, interviewing the officers involved and allowing them to submit written statements. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) conducted an investigation into Mr Ullah's death, interviewing the officers involved and allowing them to submit written statements. |
The officers were cleared of any wrongdoing in March 2010. | The officers were cleared of any wrongdoing in March 2010. |
But at the inquest later that year, they admitted removing potentially key evidence from their written statements to the IPCC, claiming they were told to do so by a Police Federation lawyer. | |
The inquest was abandoned so the IPCC could investigate further. | |
'Insufficient evidence' | |
A CPS spokesman said possible criminal charges of manslaughter by gross negligence and misconduct in public office had been under consideration. | |
But it found there was "insufficient evidence" for a "realistic prospect of convicting any person of any criminal offence", the spokesman said. | But it found there was "insufficient evidence" for a "realistic prospect of convicting any person of any criminal offence", the spokesman said. |
"Our thoughts remain with Mr Ullah's family at this difficult time for them and we fully understand that this is not the decision they will have wanted." | "Our thoughts remain with Mr Ullah's family at this difficult time for them and we fully understand that this is not the decision they will have wanted." |
An IPCC report into Mr Ullah's death has been sent to his family and a coroner ahead of the inquest being resumed with a new jury. | |
The findings have also been sent to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, which will consider the conduct of the Police Federation lawyer. | |
"This has been a complex investigation which as we have said has taken an unbearably long time for Mr Ullah's family," an IPCC spokesman said. | |
"I am very sorry for the prolonged distress this has caused, but it has been essential to ensure that our investigation was robust and thorough." | |
Thames Valley Police said it would continue to liaise closely with Mr Ullah's family, the IPCC and community representatives. |