'Honour death' officer promoted

Banaz Mahmod had asked for police help several times, the trial heard

A Pc who was due to face a disciplinary hearing over the handling of the case of a so-called honour crime victim has been promoted, police have said.

Banaz Mahmod, 20, from London, went missing in 2006. Her father and uncle were jailed for life for her murder.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission's probe into two officer's handling of the case was dropped after a key witness refused to testify.

One of the officers, Pc Angela Cornes, has temporarily been made a sergeant.

Miss Mahmod from Mitcham, south London, disappeared in January 2006 and her body was found in Birmingham, in a suitcase buried in a garden. She had been raped and tortured before being strangled.

'Let down'

Her father Ari Mahmod, uncle Mahmod Mahmod and killer Mohammed Hama were jailed for life.

Following the trial the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said she had been "let down" by police in some instances.

In March this year, the IPCC said four Metropolitan Police (Met) officers and two West Midlands detectives had received written warnings, and one Met constable had received words of advice.

It added two other Met officers - Pc Cornes and an inspector - should face a disciplinary panel.

'Deeply disappointed'

But the hearing scheduled for 17 November did not go ahead due to "insufficient evidence".

The Met decided the officers should receive "words of advice regarding their actions".

It added that Pc Cornes had since been "temporarily promoted to rank of sergeant".

IPCC Commissioner Naseem Malik said it was "deeply disappointed" at the collapse of the hearing.

"The IPCC does have the power to direct a police force to hold a disciplinary hearing when they indicate they don't intend to.

"However, without verbal evidence from the key witness I agree that it is impossible for the disciplinary panel to reach a fair and balanced judgement."