Bijan Ebrahimi murder: Police chief 'tested' by case

Bijan Ebrahimi was brutally murdered outside his flat in Brislington in July 2013

The conviction of two officers over their dealings with a man who was murdered in a vigilante attack was "testing", a police chief has said.

Bijan Ebrahimi was murdered in 2013 amid false claims he was a paedophile - despite him repeatedly calling 999 in the days before his death.

Avon and Somerset's temporary chief constable Gareth Morgan said the death had challenged public trust in police.

PC Kevin Duffy and PCSO Andrew Passmore were convicted of misconduct.

PCs Leanne Winter and Helen Harris were cleared.

The trial heard, despite repeatedly calling police for help, Iranian-born Mr Ebrahimi was seen as a "nuisance" by police in Bristol.

In an open letter, Mr Morgan said: "A family have lost a loved one in the most appalling of circumstances and the public's confidence in us as guardians of their safety and security has been challenged.

"This should be the focus of our reflections."

PC Kevin Duffy and PCSO Andrew Passmore were convicted of misconduct in a public office

Four Avon and Somerset officers were accused of letting their dislike of Mr Ebrahimi influence their decision making.

Iranian-born Mr Ebrahimi was beaten to death by neighbour Lee James outside his flat in Capgrave Crescent, Brislington, in July 2013 amid false claims he was a paedophile.

Mr Ebrahimi repeatedly tried to get police to investigate his complaint and called the non-emergency 101 number 12 times the day before he died.

Mr Morgan said the public had a "right to know" his feelings and those of the "broader constabulary", and what was being done "to address the issues identified"

He added that "We get things wrong. Sometimes really badly. But we need to have hope and faith in ourselves and our colleagues that we will always continue to strive to put the public first and work hard to protect those most vulnerable."