Man held in Liverpool pepper spray arrest wins £22k damages

“I was a bit worried for my friend’s safety and him getting arrested, and if any of it went further and he got in some sort of trouble that obviously I’d have something documented,” he said.

However, after moving around the back of the van to film his friend, an officer grabbed hold of Mr Andrews, ripping his T-shirt and taking him to the ground.

Mr Andrews’ solicitor Iain Gould, of DPP Law, said: “In this case, my client was brutalised and then threatened with being criminalised, all for the ‘non-crime’ of recording officers on his mobile phone.

“The level of the damages he has secured demonstrates the seriousness of the police wrongdoing on this occasion.”

Merseyside Police said the officer had undergone a “reflective practice review” and a “comprehensive” investigation had taken place.

The force added: “When there is any suggestion that [our] standards have not been met, we will always take positive action and identify any learning.”