Disgraced Dizaei's Appeal Adjourned Until 2011

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Former Borough Commander told he must wait while witness' identity is investigated

Former Borough Commander of Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham Ali Dizaei has been told his second appeal against his conviction will not be heard until 2011.

Once a regular face on the Chiswick High Road, the disgraced Police chief was jailed for four years in February for misconduct and perverting the course of justice after he was found guilty of attacking and falsely arresting a web designer in 2008 outside Yas Persian Restaurant in Hammersmith Road.

However new evidence has now come to light casting doubt on the identity of Waad Al-Baghdadi, the man Dizaei was found guilty of attacking.

Documents seen by BBC News suggest Mr al-Baghdadi's real name is Vaed Maleki and that he was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1983. This contradicts statements Mr al-Baghdadi gave to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and evidence he gave under oath in court.

During the trial Mr Al-Baghdadi described Dizaei as an "Iranian gangster", similar to the character of Tony Montana in the film Scarface and said people were too scared to give evidence against him.

The Court of Appeal yesterday adjourned Dizaei's second application for permission to appeal so his lawyers could investigate the claim. His first appeal was turned down.

December 2, 2010