Police improve training as officer admits misconduct over evidence

South Yorkshire Police officers were criticised by a judge when he dismissed a trial relating to the murder of takeaway boss Safrajur Jahangir, who was shot dead at the wheel of his car in Shirecliffe, Sheffield, in August 2009.

Six men faced a charge of conspiracy to commit murder, but – following a nine-week trial which could have cost the taxpayer more than £1m – the case was dismissed by Mr Justice Sweeney in June 2010.

An independent investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has now found that there were a “number of issues” surrounding the disclosure of evidence to the trial.

This was found to be the result of poor decision-making and lack of training, rather than an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

One police officer has admitted two breaches of the code of conduct, after it was found that he had failed to effectively manage the disclosure process, which resulted in material not being disclosed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

It was also found that he was responsible for “poor decision-making” concerning the assessment of a perceived risk to a prosecution witness.

The IPCC panel decided the officer should receive a final written warning, while “words of advice” will also be given to two members of police staff who were acting as disclosure officers.

IPCC commissioner Nicholas Long said: “There were apparent issues regarding what lines of enquiry were pursued and further issues in relation to what was and was not disclosed to the prosecution and defence at the trial.

“The collapse of the trial can only have added to the grief of Mr Jahangir’s family. The trial itself must have been a traumatic experience for the defendants.

“Our investigation has found clear failures, but it has concluded that there is no evidence to suggest this was the result of anything other than poor management and decision-making.

“There is no evidence of collusion or an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

“As the result of our investigation South Yorkshire Police has reinforced its training for disclosure officers and made changes to how records are kept.”