A judge was outraged after the case against a policeman accused of violently attacking a suspect was dropped - after taking three and a half years to get to court.

PC Robert Wileman was said to have smashed John Brown's Knee with a baton during a violent clash between rival football fans in Sunderland City Centre in April 2001.

But when the case was finally committed to Crown Court, enhanced footage of the alleged incident, clearly showed Mr Wileman, was innocent.

Judge Tim Hewitt, who was due to try PC Wileman on a charge of causing grievous bodily harm, said afterwards: "Once again the public is going to have to pay for the costs of these proceedings. "I think the public would be interested in knowing why we came to this position after no doubt thousands and thousands of pounds have been spent." Mr Wileman was originally questioned four months after the incident. But officers agreed to suspend the interview until the video footage had been enhanced. Mr Wileman then heard nothing more about it until September 2002 when he was told the footage could not be enhanced and was re-interviewed. The court heard how another year then passed until September 2003 when police decided PC Wileman should be charged. His case was finally listed for a plea and directions hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on March 22 when the officer pleaded not guilty. Enquiries were then put underway by his defence team to have the video enhanced and they succeeded in doing so in just five weeks. After recording a not guilty verdict, Judge Hewitt, said: "I express the view it seems to me the time take for this matter to come to court has been excessive and unreasonable." He made a defendant's costs order in favour of Mr Wileman.