A Met Police officer who failed to circulate a CCTV image of a suspected acid attacker before an innocent nurse was killed in a similar attack in High Wycombe has a case to answer for misconduct, investigators have ruled.

Xeneral Webster - also known as Imiuru - hurled a hazardous liquid at a woman in a cinema in Ealing, West London, in March 2017 - just weeks before fatally dousing Marlow nurse Jo Rand in Frogmoor on June 3 in another row.

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After the first acid attack at a Vue cinema, which melted by-stander Neetta Vaidhya's sock and burned her foot, a Metropolitan Police Service detective constable - who has not been named - was allocated to investigate it.

The DC obtained CCTV images of the attack the day after it was carried out and updated the crime report to say the images would be circulated via an internal database when he was next on duty.

Bucks Free Press:

Webster pictured on CCTV in High Wycombe on the day Jo Rand was attacked

But it was not until November 8, 2018, that the CCTV images were circulated to the database for identification. The following day Webster was identified as the suspect.

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During that 20-month period, Webster had been arrested and jailed for the manslaughter of Ms Rand, another innocent by-stander.

In the afternoon on June 3, 2017, Webster, then aged 19, had become involved in a tussle with another man in Frogmoor which resulted in Ms Rand, a carer for people with dementia who was sitting on a bench after visiting her daughter’s grave, being doused in the face and body with sulphuric acid.

VIDEO: Shocking CCTV footage shows horrifying moment much-loved Jo Rand was splashed with acid in Frogmoor

Ms Rand, 47, died of multiple organ failure 11 days after the horrific attack after contracting septicaemia due to the burns.

Bucks Free Press:

Jo Rand after the attack

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) launched an investigation in November 2018 after a referral from the Met Police concerning the conduct of a DC.

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Their investigation examined the officer’s handling of the investigation and whether it was in line with MPS’ policies and procedures and what reason there was for any delay in submitting the CCTV images.

The IOPC also looked at the actions of a number of supervisors because they had apparently failed to adequately supervise the investigation to ensure circulation of the CCTV was conducted.

The police watchdog finished its investigation in February and the Met Police has agreed with investigators that the DC has a case to answer for misconduct for breaching the standards of professional behaviour in respect of duties and responsibilities, orders and instructions and discreditable conduct.

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The publication of the investigation was delayed because of coronavirus.

The MPS will now arrange for disciplinary proceedings to take place.

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said: “Our investigation began against a backdrop of an escalation in acid attacks in London. The consequences of such attacks are devastating, and my sympathies are with the family and friends of Joanne Rand because the circumstances surrounding her death are truly tragic.

Bucks Free Press:

Webster was also the victim of an acid attack

“Having assessed all of the evidence we concluded the failure on the part of the Detective Constable to circulate the CCTV image was not intentional or deliberate, however it was entirely avoidable.

"The officer had an opportunity in April 2017 to circulate the CCTV but this did not happen.

ALSO READ: Xeneral Webster admits manslaughter following death of Jo Rand in Frogmoor, High Wycombe

“We passed our report and its findings to the Metropolitan Police Service who agreed with us that the officer had a case to answer for misconduct. They will now arrange for a misconduct meeting to take place during which the evidence will be assessed.”

Webster was jailed for 17 years for manslaughter in July 2018 after admitting killing Ms Rand.

His sentence was upgraded to life for assaulting prison staff and for the first acid attack.