A JUDGE will decide today whether police acted unlawfully when they arrested a man who lost four teeth in a late-night brawl.

Andrew Taylor had proposed to his girlfriend shortly before the incident in Exchange Square, Middlesbrough, on Christmas Eve 2001.

Mr Taylor claims he approached Cleveland Police officers to speak to them because his assailants were still in the area, but they arrested him.

Officers charged him with being drunk and disorderly and in possession of cannabis.

He admitted the drugs charge, but the Crown Prosecution Service did not pursue the other matter.

Mr Taylor, 35, of Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, is attempting to sue the force for bringing a malicious prosecution.

Representing Mr Taylor, Ian West said: "The officers were not interested in what he had to say to them. They ignored the complaint of a man who had just been assaulted.

"This man was arrested in front of his fiancee the night he had become engaged after being the victim of a serious assault."

Matthew Hallcroft, representing Cleveland Police, said officers said he was abusive and swore at them.

He said: "Mr Taylor has said in his evidence he was arguing with the police and was aggressive with them.

"He may have jabbed his finger in the faces of the police and he admits he was rude to them.Both young ladies who were with him said it was the angriest they had seen him."

The case is being heard at Darlington County Court and is expected to conclude today.