A couple whose home was raided following the Palm Island riots in north Queensland has been awarded more than $200,000 in damages by the Court of Appeal.

David John Bulsey was detained by police during the 2004 riots, sparked by the death-in-custody of Mulrunji Doomadgee (also known as Cameron Doomadgee).

In his judgement, Justice Hugh Fraser said officers pulled Mr Bulsey out of his bed and dragged him onto the street in handcuffs.

His then-pregnant partner, Yvette Faith Lenoy, was yelled at by officers inside his house.

Mr Bulsey was held in custody in Townsville.

He was charged days later, but eventually all charges against him were dropped.

The pair sued the State of Queensland for damages on the grounds of assault and false imprisonment, but the case was dismissed by a Townsville Supreme Court Judge.

The Court of Appeal has overturned the ruling and ordered Mr Bulsey be given $165,000 and his partner $70,000.

In his judgement, Justice Fraser said the State of Queensland did not prove that the conduct of police in detaining and imprisoning Bulsey was "authorised or excused by law".

Justice Roslyn Atkinson said the treatment of the pair breached their right to personal liberty "which is the most basic and fundamental of the human rights recognised by the common law".

"The appellants in their case were not treated as one might expect in a civilised society governed by the rule of law and it is appropriate that they should be adequately compensated for the grievous wrong done to them," Justice Atkinson said.

Justice Duncan McMeekin said the executive, through the police, wielded enormous power.

"It is essential that that power be used within the confines of the law. It is important that the courts acknowledge fully the hurt that can be done when the power is misused," Justice McMeekin said.

"This is not a case of human fallibility. A deliberate decision was made to make a dawn raid on a citizen's home by armed, masked men and to treat those found within as one would dangerous criminals with no regard whatever for their dignity or rights. The imprisonment continued for days. The hurt was great."