A TAXI driver has been cleared of falsely imprisoning two off-duty police officers in his cab.

Cleveland Williams (65), of Trafford, had denied unlawfully keeping Helen Dean and Timothy McDermott in the back of his cab.

He was also cleared of assaulting the woman.

A court heard the incident arose when the vehicle arrived at the couple's home in Holcombe Brook following an evening in Manchester last August, and there was a disagreement over the fare.

The hearing of Bolton Crown Court, sitting in Bury, heard that Mr Williams turned his cab around and drove away with the doors locked.

Jurors were told that the couple, who are officers with the Lancashire Constabulary, were then taken to Bury Police Station.

Mr McDermott, who had already contacted the police on his mobile phone, was able to leave the vehicle and went to find an officer.

When he returned, said prosecutor Andrew Long, Miss Dean was bleeding from the nose.

Mr Williams claimed he had reasonable cause to detain the couple in his cab on grounds of dishonesty.

The taxi-driver of 18 years said he had been racially abused and that Miss Dean was injured as he attempted to ward off a blow from her handbag.

Following evidence from the couple given on Wednesday, further witnesses had been due to appear for the Crown.

However, no further evidence was offered by the Crown yesterday , and the jury were directed by the judge to return a verdict of "not guilty".