A POOLE man who served as an elite SBS commando was tortured then gunned down by Iraqi police during a raid on a Baghdad house, an inquest heard.

Brian Tilley, 47, who was in a relationship with a young Iraqi woman, was dragged in to the kitchen of her home in the lawless al-Doura district of the city then shot in the back and killed.

Five gunmen, later identified as serving members of Iraq's police force, burst into the house in full uniform before shooting several of Mr Tilley's toes off then killing him.

The killers, who have never been brought to justice, then shot dead five unarmed Iraqi civilians who were cowering in the next room.

Brian Tilley, 47, from Poole, was dragged from his girlfriend's arms at the house in May 2004.

His girlfriend, Iman, and four innocent Iraqis were also killed in the bloodbath.

Five men in Iraqi police uniforms - later identified as serving officers - stormed the building before shooting Mr Tilley, who was working in private security, then turning their automatic weapons on five other inhabitants who were cowering in the bedroom.

Amazingly, a teenage girl survived - despite being shot in the head at point blank range - and later identified the men to US military police.

Aged around 15 and known as Sarah, she was taken into custody for her own protection and eventually relocated to Jordan, but has since disappeared.

US military policewoman Capt Katherine Brennan, who was based in the al-Doura and al-Bilat regions during 2004, attended the scene of the fatal shooting.

The officer, now based in Fort Hood, Texas, travelled to Bournemouth Coroner's Court to give evidence.

Capt Brennan said: "She (Sarah) said a group of men forced their way into their house, dressed as Iraqi police, and started shooting."

Sarah picked out five suspects from 200 photographs of Iraqi policeman. Capt Brennan stressed: "She definitely knew who these guys were. We put the pictures to her the next day and she picked out all five again."

The military policewoman said the motive for the attack was unclear, but it may have been a robbery.

Mr Tilley, who had travelled to the house the evening before dressed in traditional Arab clothing with at least two pistols and an assault rifle, had 12,000 dollars stolen.

Arrest warrants were issued for the gunmen, but the case eventually collapsed months later after an Iraqi judge described Sarah as an "unreliable witness". No one has been brought to justice.

And in a further twist, it emerged Iman may have had a previous relationship with a high-ranking official in the Iraqi National Congress.

Mr Tilley's boss, also a former SBS man, spoke of this rumoured relationship in his coroner's court statement.

US military policeman Sgt Jesse Duenes revealed Mr Tilley was beaten and shot in the foot before being blasted three times in the back and once in the stomach.

Sgt Duenes, who was first to interview Sarah, said the witness heard the policemen shouting "find him, find him" as they ransacked the house.

When the former Royal Marine Commando was dragged into the kitchen, Sarah heard him being beaten, then shout "no" before a series of shots were fired. Moments later she was shot herself.

Sgt Duenes added: "After Sarah regained consciousness everybody in the house was dead."

At least three of the suspects were spotted hours later at the hospital where Sarah was treated.

Det Supt Phil James, now retired, of Dorset Police gave evidence at the inquest. He has worked tirelessly with the US and British military to piece events together.

Mr James told the court how Sarah's identification of the suspects was "accurate and adequate enough for a court in the UK".

Dorset deputy coroner Jonathon Morrissey recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.