02/10/2007

Menezes Police Officers Follow "Unusual Tactics"

Firearms officers who shot an innocent Brazilian man had been told to follow the "unusual tactics" to stop a potential suicide bomber, a court heard today.

An old Bailey jury heard Jean Charles de Menezes died because officers had been briefed on the morning of his death they may be ordered to shoot someone at close range in the head.

The officers were issued with special highly-lethal ammunition and warned they were dealing with suspects who were "up for it", it is claimed.

The 27-year-old was shot seven times in the head at Stockwell Tube station after being followed by police from his home in Scotia Road, Tulse Hill, south London

Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, said that these were "unusual tactics that the department had not used before", quoting the evidence of the firearms unit's team leader, referred to under his code name of Ralph.

Ronal Thwaites QC said: "If the prosecution are right, you can perhaps see what implications that may have for policing generally. It would effectively remove the discretion that police officers have and need when deciding on the best time to act and the form their action should take."

The trial continues.

(CD)

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