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Five police officers are at the centre of a criminal probe over claims they arrested an innocent man who spent four days in jail.

Gary Webb is suing Police ­Scotland for more than £100,000 over the case amid claims he was left traumatised by his ordeal.

It is claimed the 58-year-old was taken from his home in April 2015 when officers turned up looking for a suspect in connection with serious crimes.

But despite protesting to police that they had the wrong man, officers arrested him.

Webb, of Gatehouse of Fleet, near Newton Stewart, was held in Dumfries Prison before he was eventually released four days later.

His lawyers have now lodged a civil action at Edinburgh’s Court of Session while the

Police Investigations and Review ­Commissioner (PIRC) conduct a criminal probe into the officers who made the arrest.

They have been charged in connection with offences ­relating to wrongful arrest under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016.

Webb declined to comment on the case. But his lawyer Gordon Dalyell, a partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, said: “We are pursuing a civil action on behalf of Mr Webb against Police Scotland.

“However, as the case is ­ongoing, it would be inappropriate to ­comment further.”

It has been claimed Webb ­suffered post-traumatic stress disorder following the incident and was forced to leave his job. HMP Dumfries is used by the Scottish Prison Service to hold serious sex offenders and inmates at risk from attack.

Jails are used by Police ­Scotland to hold suspects when their ­­station cells are full. Police arrested the man they were ­looking for several weeks later.

Sources say he bears no physical resemblance to Webb. Their names are also dissimilar.

The officers at the centre of the probe were arrested by the PIRC last month.

PIRC investigators have the powers of a police constable when carrying out inquiries as directed by the Crown Office. These include the power to detain, arrest, ­question and report a person for prosecution.

A spokesman said: “The PIRC have been investigating ­allegations of criminality against a number of Police Scotland officers.

“As a result of this ­investigation, we can confirm that five serving police officers were arrested under Section 1 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016 and have now been charged.

“A report on the matter will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”

Police Scotland said: “It would be inappropriate to comment.”