Vigilante murder victim Bijan Ebrahimi memorial tree planted

Bijan Ebrahimi was killed outside his home in 2013 after being falsely accused as a paedophile

A tree has been planted in memory of a disabled man who was kicked to death in a vigilante attack in Bristol.

Bijan Ebrahimi, 44, was murdered by a neighbour in Brislington in 2013 amid false claims he was a paedophile.

Mr Ebrahimi repeatedly called 999 for help in the days before his death but police officers saw him as a time-waster and nuisance so ignored him.

At the ceremony, Chief Constable Andy Marsh said police should have saved him.

The tree was planted in Bristol's Queens Square on Friday afternoon

The tree planting was held in Queens Square earlier on Friday.

Mr Marsh said: "The "loss of Bijan's life was an avoidable tragedy. We should have saved Bijan."

Bijan's sister Manisha Moores said it was "an emotional day" and "the first time people have celebrated the lovely guy that he was".

PCSO Andrew Passmore, 56, and PC Kevin Duffy, 52, were convicted of misconduct in connection with the death and sacked by Avon and Somerset Police.

Avon and Somerset PCs Helen Harris and Leanne Winter were also sacked by the police force following a public misconduct hearing.

Both women were cleared of the criminal charge of misconduct in a public office at an earlier trial.

Lee James was convicted of murder in November 2013 and is serving a life sentence. Stephen Norley, 25, who had admitted assisting an offender, was given a four-year jail term.

Lee James (l) and Stephen Norley both admitted their part in killing Mr Ebrahimi