Weather Afternoon: 14°c Light showers Tonight: 9°c Light showers

News

HEADLINES:
Scotland Yard
One man claims Met officers held his head in a lavatory bowl as it was flushed

Six Met officers facing charges over water torture allegations

Benedict Moore-Bridger
31.07.09

Up to six Met police officers could face trial over allegations of "water torture" on suspects, it emerged today.

The officers, including a detective sergeant, have been interviewed under caution over claims of "serious physical assault" during two drugs raids in Tottenham and Enfield in November last year.

One man claims his head was held inside a lavatory bowl as it was flushed. Another said his head was dunked in a sink. A file on the claims has been passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC.

The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards first began an inquiry into claims that suspects' property was mishandled by officers from Enfield borough crime squad.

After claims that the suspects were tortured, the Independent Police Complaints Commission took over the inquiry in April.

The IPCC said it had passed a file to the Crown Prosecution Service "for a decision about whether any of the officers should be charged". Four men and a woman at the centre of the claims were to stand trial over alleged cannabis smuggling but the case was stopped. The most serious claim was that some of the men were effectively "waterboarded" - the notorious simulated drowning technique used by the CIA - during questioning at the Tottenham property.

Nnanyere David Nwankwo, 24, told friends he was kicked and attacked by police during the raid at his home in Tottenham. A second man, Ajah Mpakaboari, 33, was left bleeding after he was also allegedly assaulted during a search.

Reader views (0)

 Add your view

No comments have so far been submitted.


Add your comment

 

Your email address will not be published

Terms and conditions make text area bigger You have  characters left.


 

Don't Miss
  • Lenny Henry

    Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

    Shortlisted at today's Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels
  • John and Edward

    Spread of the Jedhead

    Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories


Promotions

Environmental initiatives

Find out how you can help to meet the challenges of climate change in London.


The Open University

Every year The Open University helps thousands of professionals progress in their careers.


Win the Best Seats

In London theatre when you vote for your favourite celebrity spec wearer.


Breast Cancer Care

Donate £1 and leave a message of support for a loved one in the Swarovski Garden of Wishes.


Win an iPodTouch

With Courvoisier when you share your thoughts on this week's cocktail.