Suspect tells of 'assault' by police officers

A terror suspect who was allegedly beaten up and humiliated by four police officers in a dawn raid at his home gave evidence at the officers' trial yesterday.

Babar Ahmad, 36, was at his home in South London on 2 December 2003 when officers from the Metropolitan Police's Territorial Support Group broke down his door and arrested him under the Terrorism Act.

Constables Mark Jones, 43, Roderick James-Bowen, 40, Nigel Cowley, 33, and Detective Constable John Donohue, 36, face trial for assault on Mr Ahmad.

Mr Ahmad told Southwark Crown Court how, having already restrained him, "one of the officers was punching my face and head and ear, over and over".

He suffered severe injuries to his wrists and forearms, allegedly from from the manipulation of the handcuffs over them by the officers.

Mr Ahmad described being forced into a "prayer position", and told how his genitals were touched and he was mocked by the officers.

The officers deny the charges.