THE investigation into how police officers seriously injured a man during a raid on his home has still not been completed nearly eight months after he was cleared of assaulting them.

Stephen Whenary was so badly beaten by officers when they forced their way into his bathroom he had to take 13 weeks off work.

The independent investigation into the attack is being carried out by Cleveland Police on behalf of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), despite the fact it was Cleveland officers that caused the injuries.

Cleveland's Chief Constable, Sean Price, called on the IPCC to investigate after a judge criticised the police's role - and subsequent evidence - in the case.

Mr Whenary was left bloodied and battered after police burst into his bathroom and beat him with batons after squirting him with CS gas.

At one point, as many as 19 officers were in the house in Pine Street, Norton, near Stockton.

Mr Whenary, who lives with a police officer's former wife, was dragged naked from the house and charged with assault and resisting arrest.

When the case came to court in May, he was cleared by a judge, who said the police evidence was riddled with discrepancies.

Mr Price ordered an investigation after saying the case raised very serious issues.

In June, Scott Taylor, Mr Whenary's solicitor, expressed concerns when his client learnt that it was Cleveland officers investigating their colleagues.

Mr Taylor said: "From the outset, we didn't believe the investigation would be particularly swift, but this is really starting to drag on and have an adverse affect on Mr Whenary.

"We are hoping there will be a resolution as soon as possible, but we will just have to be patient and wait and see."

During the trial, Teesside Magistrates' Court heard conflicting evidence from several officers that resulted in four of the charges being thrown out by District Judge Roger Elsey.

One officer could not give evidence because he was on holiday during the court hearing and other details of the incident were lost when a notebook was accidentally destroyed in the wash.

A spokesman for the IPCC said the investigation was ongoing, but said it was unclear when it would be concluded.