THE Metropolitan police has been convicted of breaching health and safety laws over the fatal shooting of Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes.

THE Metropolitan police has been convicted of breaching health and safety laws over the fatal shooting of Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes.

The jury at the Old Bailey today returned a verdict of guilty but cleared operation commander Cressida Dick of personal responsibility.

Mr de Menezes was shot dead by armed police at Stockwell underground station in July 2005.

He had been trailed from his home by armed officers investigating the failed suicide bombings on the London underground which took place the previous day.

One of the suspects, Hussain Osman, had been linked with the block of flats where Mr de Menezes lived.

When Mr de Menezes left his flat at 9.30am that morning he was trailed by police surveillance teams who thought he may have been Osman.

During the trial Clare Montgomery QC, prosecuting, told the court that a string of errors had led to the public being placed at unnecessary risk, and culminated in the killing of Mr de Menezes.

Following two investigations by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, it was decided not to prosecute individual officers but instead charge the Office of the Commissioner under health and safety legislation.

The trial is believed to have cost the taxpayer £3.5 million, and the force now faces an unlimited fine.