A man arrested for being drunk in a public place has today been awarded almost $130,000 in damages after he was punched in the face by a police officer in the lock-up at Ringwood police station.

County Court judge Christopher O’Neill said Tim Vivoda was punched by Senior Constable David Kealy on April 2, 2008, but claimed he acted in self-defence after Mr Vivoda lunged at him to try to grab his police pistol.

"In fact, the pistol was not in his holster at the time," the judge said.

Mr Vivoda was later charged with assaulting police but the case was dismissed in September 2008.

Judge O'Neill said Mr Vivoda decided to sue Constable Kealy for damages over the assault at the police station and being charged.