Birmingham riot deaths: Families 'let down' at verdict

The families of three men killed during last year's riots in Birmingham have instructed lawyers to review a trial after eight men were cleared of murder.

Haroon Jahan, 20, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, died in August, 2011, after being hit by a car in Winson Green, Birmingham.

Last week a jury at Birmingham Crown Court found found eight men not guilty.

Tariq Jahan, father of Haroon, said families had been left in "utter shock and despair".

Mr Jahan, who appealed for calm immediately after the verdict, said: "The community did not let us down. The law however, has.

"Our sense of disappointment and regret over this verdict cannot be stated in words."

Speaking at a press conference, he said the families were "no longer able to trust the criminal justice system to provide the answers we so desperately need".

"We have therefore instructed lawyers to review the criminal trial and the events that led to the death of our sons," he added.

Mr Jahan, Mr Ali and Mr Musavir died on 10 August after being hit by a car on Dudley Road in Winson Green, Birmingham.

They were part of a group of about 80 men who had gathered to defend local businesses after riots and looting had started in the Handsworth area.

All eight defendants denied they planned to kill the men in a co-ordinated attack using three cars.

During his summing up at the trial at Birmingham Crown Court, the judge, Mr Justice Flaux, said in reaching its verdicts, the jury had decided that it "was not a deliberate killing" and there had been "no plan to kill these three young men".

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating a senior detective at West Midlands Police after the judge told the court Det Ch Insp Anthony Tagg had "invented" evidence given under oath.

The judge decided a fair trial could still take place, but said he found some of Det Ch Insp Tagg's evidence unreliable.

West Midlands Police said it did not "under-estimate" the impact that the deaths of the men had on their families, friends and the wider community.

It said that Chief Constable Chris Sims had met Harry Ireland, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, to discuss what further steps could be taken in the wake of the trial.

Assistant Chief Constable Sharon Rowe said: "Neighbourhood officers are continuing to work closely with members of the community and listen to any concerns they may wish to raise.

"I, alongside local officers, continue to meet with members of the community who are working hard to maintain calm and strengthen relationships."