Student claims police broke his teeth in 'racial attack'

Mr Mohammed Aamer Anwar, 27, is suing Strathclyde Chief Constable, Mr

Leslie Sharp, for #15,000, claiming he was the victim of a racial

attack.

It is believed to be the first case of its kind in Scotland and has

taken three-and-a-half-years to get to court.

Mr Anwar said he had to drink through a straw and suffered nightmares

after the alleged attack in November, l991.

He denied a suggestion by Mr Charles Hennessey, the solicitor acting

for the chief constable, that he was injured in a fall while fleeing

from police.

Mr Anwar, now unemployed, told Glasgow Sheriff Court that he was

caught fly-posting in Ashton Lane, Hillhead, near the university.

Earlier, he had been part of a students' demonstration which had

occupied an area of the university, including the principal's office.

He claimed someone had shouted ''police'' and he and four other

students ran down the lane.

He was carrying posters and a paste can when, he claimed, he felt a

blow on his back and he was knocked face down.

Mr Anwar told Sheriff George Evans: ''My head was pulled up and my

face slammed down on the ground. My teeth were chipped. ''Again my face

was slammed onto the ground. I felt my teeth being smashed.''

Mr Anwar, who gave his address as care of his Glasgow's solicitor's

office, claimed he was dragged by a policeman and a policewoman back

down the lane and kicked.

He told his lawyer, Mr Tony McGrade, that police threatened him with

more violence unless he gave them the names of other students who had

been fly-posting with him.

Mr Anwar said: ''I was crying. I kept asking them why they had done

this to me and I called for help from passers by.

''The police told me that if I didn't give them the names they would

take me to the cells and give me a proper going over.''

He was taken by ambulance to the city's Western Infirmary for

treatment.

His limbs were bruised in the alleged incident and he now has to wear

false teeth.

Mathematics teacher, Mr Mark Davidson, 24, of Kent Road, Charing

Cross, Glasgow, told the court he was a Glasgow University student at

the time of the alleged attack and was on his way home through the lane.

He said he saw a figure lying crouched on the road, whom he now knew

as Mr Anwar.

He claimed a policeman kicked Mr Anwar, who asked him: ''Why did you

kick me? Why did you do it, why did you beat me up?''

Mr Davidson said there was also a policewoman nearby.

He told the court: ''My impression was the police officer was taunting

him, almost leering at him.

''I could tell this from his facial expressions and body movements.''

He added: ''It was quite horrific to see the policeman kick someone on

the ground. Police are there to protect you.''

The hearing continues.