TV builder Huntley Thawe plans legal action against police after being cleared of assaulting two officers

Huntley Thawe, who has starred on Channel 4's The Renovation Game, said he planned to take legal action against West Mercia Police after his acquittal by magistrates.

In a statement issued after the case, West Mercia Police said it had received a formal complaint against two of the officers involved in arresting Mr Thawe in Redditch, Worcestershire.

The 48-year-old was also cleared of threatening behaviour and obstructing a police officer after a three-day trial at Redditch Magistrates' Court.

A video of the altercation, filmed by a bystander, was played during the trial showing officers, one wielding a baton, as they detained Mr Thawe.

In her submissions before the verdicts, defence solicitor Sarah Magill alleged that two officers had acted "entirely outside of their lawful duties" during the arrest.

Claiming it was Mr Thawe who had been assaulted, Ms Magill told the court: "I don't invite you to like Mr Thawe.

"His demeanour (during his evidence to the court) was perhaps understandable in that he feels he should have never been here on trial."

Describing her client as "a bit of a live-wire", Ms Magill said he deserved great credit for remaining seated in his van.

Urging magistrates to acquit Mr Thawe on all the charges, Ms Magill added: "He and his children were inside the van and he was being attacked from outside of it.

"In my submission, the officers jumped in here too fast without a plan and they quickly found themselves out of their depth."

In a statement issued following the hearing, West Mercia Police said: "We acknowledge the findings of the court. We can confirm that we have received a formal complaint against two of the officers involved in the arrest of Thawe.

"Now that legal proceedings have concluded we can start our investigation into this complaint and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time."