Police face conspiracy charges

Sultan Alam says he was wrongly jailed

Four police officers are facing conspiracy charges following an investigation into another officer's claims he was jailed for a crime he did not commit.

Sultan Alam was sentenced to 18 months in 1996 for conspiracy to steal vehicle parts, but has always claimed he was innocent.

The former Cleveland Police constable's allegations were taken up by the Police Complaints Authority after his release - and officers from the Northumbria Force were asked to investigate on its behalf.

Cleveland Police confirmed on Tuesday that four of its officers - one of whom has now retired - are to be charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The four are to be charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

Cleveland Police spokesman

A spokesman said : "The Crown Prosecution Service has informed Cleveland Police that criminal proceedings are to be taken against three serving and one former officer.

"This follows a long-running inquiry into complaints made by former constable Sultan Alam concerning his arrest in 1994 and subsequent trial in 1996.

"A complex and detailed file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service in April 2002.

"It contained allegations against 12 individuals.

"The CPS decided in May that no criminal action should be taken against eight of those individuals.

"The four remaining are to be charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice."

Mr Alam was not available for comment and is understood to be on holiday in Pakistan.