The inspector who headed up the internal Police investigation into the allegations of brutality recommended the officers be prosecuted, can reveal.

It is understood that Insp. Craig Morfitt has handed a lengthy report of his findings to Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith, in which he suggested several of the accused be brought up on charges of assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The credibility of the Police was severely damaged during the course of the pre-trial legal arguments, when the service?s own forensic expert, Dr. Valerie Rao, rejected the Police?s submission that Madeiros had sustained his injuries in a fall while attempting to escape custody.

Instead, she insisted the bruising shown in the photographs was ?only consistent? with a beating.

In a further twist, it also emerged during the course of the lengthy proceedings that one of the officers accused of violent conduct, Det. Con. David Bhagwam, attempted to file charges against Insp. Morfitt for an assault which allegedly took place during one of their two interviews together.

It is understood that Insp. Morfitt was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith refused to comment on the allegations last night, explaining he was not at liberty to speak to the media about the case until the appeals period is over.