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Two police officers who kicked and punched an arrested man as he lay handcuffed on the street have been found guilty of gross misconduct - but have kept their jobs.

David Prosser, 27, had been arrested for being drunk and disorderedly after a night out in Hull city centre when two officers - one a police sergeant - hit him.

Footage released shows Mr Prosser, handcuffed, falling to the ground and surrounded by four officers.

The sergeant can then be seen twice swinging his right leg and kicking him whilst a second officer punches him as the victim lies just inches from their police van.

(Image: Hull Daily Mail WS)

A CCTV operator who watched in horror as the incident unfolded was so concerned by what he saw, he reported it - which led to two officers facing misconduct hearings.

The sergeant and another police officer were both found guilty of gross misconduct and using "excessive force" at an internal disciplinary.

Both were allowed to remain in their jobs, but were given final written warnings.

Now, Humberside Police have paid Mr Prosser a five-figure sum in damages, but he says the officers are not fit to wear the police uniform.

Mr Prosser, of east Hull said: “These police officers are meant to be honest and are meant to serve and protect people, yet they attacked me and punched and kicked me on the ground.

“I am so glad they got caught on the CCTV. The first time I saw the footage was when the officers were having their disciplinary hearings and it was hard for me to watch myself being manhandled like that.

"I don’t think they are fit to wear the uniform and I didn’t think they should have kept their jobs.”

(Image: Hull Daily Mail WS)

As part of legal action through Hudgell Solicitors, papers lodged at the court criticised the officers for trying to conceal their actions, highlighting how the sergeant had approached his colleague afterwards saying CCTV had "captured me booting him on the floor" and that they "needed to compare notes".

After seeing the CCTV, the sergeant begged to keep his job, and told the hearing: “I don’t feel good about myself after watching that and if you’re in touch with Mr Prosser, I’d like you to say sorry on behalf of myself."

He admitted putting Mr Prosser in a headlock which might have restricted his breathing – a manoeuvre all officers are strongly warned against using.

He also admitted jabbing his handcuff key into Mr Prosser’s wrist, as well as “tweaking” his fingers back to cause pain.

The second officer was found to have punched him twice, and admitted using a knee strike manoeuvre on Mr Prosser, which he said resulted in his head making “quite hard” contact with the road and immediately bleeding.

Mr Prosser admits being drunk on the night in October 2013, and says most of the incident is a “blur”.

He initially found himself charged with assaulting an officer in the execution of his duty, as well as a public order offence, but when he made an official complaint, an investigation into the officers’ conduct was launched and footage was reviewed.

(Image: Hull Daily Mail WS)

Mr Prosser’s lawyer, Andrew Petherbridge, says the force’s representatives made a "derisory amount" to settle following initial legal representations.

Subsequent investigations and medical assessments revealed Mr Prosser to be suffering from post-concussion syndrome – a mild form of traumatic brain injury – persistent headaches and long-term psychological injuries.

The force denies the officers’ actions had caused long-term injuries, however they still offered a substantial increase in damages.

Mr Prosser was left with his arm in a cast for six weeks, cuts and scarring to his face, a bloodshot eye and blurred vision.

Longer term, he still suffers from daily headaches, black spots in his vision, persistent tinnitus and poor memory and concentration and says he is still reluctant to go out with his friends.

Mr Prosser said: "Yes, I was drunk, and of course I didn’t want to be arrested, but the police are meant to be there to handle situations like that calmly and help people who’ve had a bit too much drink to go home safely.

"They shouldn’t be causing them to need hospital treatment because they’ve cuffed them, thrown them to the ground and punched and kicked them.”

Mr Petherbridge, a specialist in handling claims against police at Hudgell Solicitors, said: “The indisputable facts in this matter are that unreasonable force was used.

"It was completely unacceptable for officers to be punching and kicking Mr Prosser, particularly when he was on the floor and already handcuffed.

“It is also shocking, and does nothing for public trust in our police officers, to have learned of the sergeant talking about comparing notes.

“This sort of behaviour should not be tolerated in any police force, and members of the public should not be subjected to this kind of treatment.”

Supt Matt Baldwin said: "The behaviour of these officers fell below the expected standard here at Humberside Police and therefore their actions were rightfully examined through a misconduct hearing."