http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8903259.

Bradford_detective_cleared_on_judge_s_o rders

Bradford officer tells of his relief and now plans to go on a pilgrimage to reflect and recover
9:50am Friday 11th March 2011 in News By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

A Bradford police officer has been cleared of allegations of fraud and deception after a flawed inquiry was carried out by the West Yorkshire force. Kashif Ahmed, 33, and his co-accused, Shamim Khan, 47, had all charges against them dismissed by a judge at Bradford Crown Court after revelations about the way officers investigated the case. Judge Peter Benson, ruling in their favour to stay the prosecution, found that there was a very significant irregularity and impropriety at the root of the investigation and the whole process was tarnished. Judge Benson described two police witnesses, who gave evidence in court during Mr Ahmed and Miss Khans application to dismiss the case, as evasive. And he said a detective sergeant, who opened a CD document containing privileged proof of evidence contact between Mr Ahmed and his solicitor, had not told the truth. The judge said he did not accept the evidence of the officer, of 18 years experience, that she did not realise the significance of the document.

He added: It seems to me there has been an economy with the truth about this document. Judge Benson said it was an admitted fact that the detective sergeant, who took a very active part in the conduct of the case, had read the proof of evidence and took no steps to alert the Crown Prosecution Service, or any senior police officer, to it. The judge added: It seems to me thats an affront to justice to such an extent that proceedings of the entirety of this indictment should be stayed against both these defendants. He discharged Mr Ahmed and Miss Khan after prosecutor Desmond Rosario yesterday said the prosecution did not intend to appeal, or seek permission to do so. Judge Benson said: The matters are at an end. Mr Ahmed, of Toller Lane, Heaton, was suspended by West Yorkshire Police, where he served at the Leeds North-West division, pending the outcome of the case. He had pleaded not guilty to a total of ten charges of obtaining pecuniary advantage by deception and fraud. Miss Khan, of Avondale Road, Shipley, denied two charges. After the case, Mr Ahmed said he was intending to go on a pilgrimage for a period to reflect and recover. He said: The last two years have been a nightmare and I have needed counselling. I would not wish on anyone what I have had to endure by those who are entrusted to protect society. I am relieved the matter is finally over and I can now get on with rebuilding my life. This case highlights very serious integrity issues with police officers from the West Yorkshire Police Professional Standards Department. It also highlights a number of serious failings. I would like an independent review by the Independent Police Complaints Commission into issues surrounding the case to prevent this type of situation occurring again. Miss Khan did not want to comment. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: We are very disappointed that the full circumstances and evidence in this case wont now be put before a judge and jury. West Yorkshire Polices Professional Standards Department will now consider the disciplinary aspects of this case.

Bradford detective remains suspended as misconduct charge considered

8:00pm Wednesday 7th July 2010 in Bradford By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

Wasim Bashir

A Bradford detective cleared of conspiring to make a false declaration in a high-profile murder case, could still face misconduct proceedings by his force. Detective Constable Wasim Bashir, 39, had been due to stand trial at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday with another Bradford man, Mohammed Ahmed. But the case was dropped when the Crown Prosecution Service received new information from the police which led them to conclude it was no longer in the public interest to prosecute. The officer has been suspended for 20 months and remains so.

In a statement released yesterday, a West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: We can confirm that the criminal case against DC Wasim Bashir and Mr Ahmed was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service on the grounds of public interest following fresh information coming to light. As there are still outstanding disciplinary matters to be considered against a serving officer it would be inappropriate to comment further.

West Yorkshire Police are proud of maintaining high standards of integrity among their officers and will take action against any officer whose actions fall short of this. West Yorkshire Police Federation vice-chairman Andrew Tempest-Mitchell said it had supported the officer, who always protested his innocence, and would continue to support him in any misconduct proceedings. He added: He is an experienced detective from the Bradford area, always well respected by his colleagues and who has always had a good reputation. Det Con Bashir and Mr Ahmed, 36, of Grange Avenue, Bradford, had denied a charge that between September 1, 2007, and January 5, 2008, they conspired together to knowingly and wilfully make a false statutory declaration. The men had been charged in connection with the inquiry into the murder of Bradford fatherof-four Shazad Talib Hussain, 21, who was shot dead in his car in an alleyway in 2004. Three Bradford men were convicted of the murder and sentenced to life.

Judge tells Bradford jury they reached right verdict

7:16pm Wednesday 24th February 2010 in Bradford By Steve Wright, Crime Reporter

A Bradford police officer who lost his job when accused of selling counterfeit goods may appeal against the decision after being cleared. Talib Khan, 34, who served at Trafalgar House police station in Bradford, was yesterday unanimously cleared by a jury at Bradford Crown Court of knowingly selling fake hair straighteners. The jury of seven women and five men took just an hour to find Mr Khan not guilty after a three-day trial. He had denied a charge of intending to make a profit by selling a product that had a sign identical to a registered trade mark.

The judge, Recorder Dean Kershaw, told the jury they had reached the right verdict. Recorder Kershaw told prosecutor Chris Tonge: It did strike me you were on a bit of an uphill battle. The judge said he was not blaming the Crown Prosecution Service in any way, but sometimes a global look at the evidence was helpful and discretion was always available. Mr Khan, of Hanson Lane, Halifax, had been offered a caution, but that had been refused.

It had been alleged Mr Khan had advertised two pairs of counterfeit GHD hair straighteners on an internal police website in November 2008. A pink pair of tongs was offered for sale at 100 and a white pair for 75. His adverts said: If anyone is interested in purchasing one or more pairs, I have a friend who is selling them. Mr Khan admitted placing the advert but insisted he did not know the items were fakes. He stared calmly ahead as the jury foreman returned the not guilty verdict. West Yorkshire Police said PC Khan had been suspended following the allegations and subsequently dismissed. A statement read out on his behalf said: Throughout this, Mr Khan has always maintained his innocence. He has now been totally vindicated by the jury and the judges comments about the prosecution. Mr Khan now wants to be able to rebuild his life. It has been a difficult time over the past year or so, in particular given that he lost his job because of these allegations. At this moment in time cannot comment any further on that issue until we can consider that position further.

Cleared cop tells of living nightmare

Det Insp Shakeel Ahmed who has been cleared of money laundering offences in relation to buying houses. Published on Saturday 17 March 2012 07:30 A DETECTIVE accused of money laundering has spoken of his living nightmare after being under investigation for three years. Det Insp Shakeel Ahmed, of Maybush Road, Agbrigg, was cleared last week of the nine charges he faced following a prolonged investigation. The Wakefield Express understands the case against him and four others, which began in 2009, is expected to have cost tax payers more than 1m. His wife Clare Ahmed, formerly Clare Batty, 38, and three other people who faced similar charges also had no evidence offered against them following legal argument at Leeds Crown Court.

Mr Ahmed, who works for South Yorkshire Police, told the Express this week: My family have really pulled together in the past three years that this has been hanging over us. It has been a living nightmare. The case centred around Mr Ahmeds property interests in Agbrigg. He was accused of converting and possessing criminal property but said the three-year old case against him collapsed in just three hours. Mr Ahmed, 37, was represented by barrister Chris Daw, who is acting for former England football captain John Terry in his denied race case. Prosecutor Richard Wright told the court that the Crown had a continuing duty to review any case and to determine at any stage of the proceedings whether or not there remains a realistic prospect of securing a conviction. He offered no evidence against Mr Ahmed, his wife and three other people. After the case a CPS spokeswoman said: We are satisfied that all of those concerned in this investigation and prosecution have acted at all times in good faith; however we have nonetheless concluded that there is no longer a prospect of securing a conviction in the case of any of the accused. Accordingly we offered no evidence on all counts and invited the court to enter verdicts of not guilty. Mr Ahmed told the Express he was now looking forward to resuming his career. He said: I understand South Yorkshire Police are reviewing my suspension from duty and I look forward to returning to the job I am paid to do as soon as possible. A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed Det Insp Ahmeds suspension was being reviewed.