A MAN arrested following an incident in a nightclub is planning to sue Lancashire police after video evidence appeared to contradict a policewoman's statement.

A charge of threatening behaviour against Tsagher Mahmood, 25, of Oxford Close, Blackburn, was withdrawn by prosecutors at Hyndburn Magistrates' Court after a video tape from a security camera at Afrika's, Accrington, was shown.

The officer had claimed Mr Mahmood swore at her before his arrest at the nightclub in Blackburn Road but the tape allegedly shows the policewoman swearing at Mr Mahmood and seizing him by the arm.

Mr Mahmood was arrested, detained overnight and later charged with threatening behaviour and has appeared in court more than five times in relation to the charges.

A claim for more than £800 in costs was made against the police following the collapse of the case.

Mr Mahmood, who is also planning to contact the Police Complaints Authority about the case, said: "The police are in a position of trust. If it were not for the video evidence which my solicitor managed to uncover, I would have been looking at a serious offence."

Mr Mahmood, who has instructed his solicitor Martin Heyes, of Accrington firm Whittaker, Pratt and Hudson to sue for wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution, added: "It is going to take some time but at least the wheels have been set in motion. This whole thing has been very demoralising for me. The offence I was charged with is very serious and the court case has been hanging over my head."

A police spokeswoman said the letter from Mr Mahmood's solicitor had been received and the matter would be investigated.

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