A FORMER policeman has lodged a complaint of assault - against the police.

Cleveland Police last night confirmed it was investigating an allegation of assault, brought by 39-year-old Sultam Alam, against a traffic officer.

The fresh police probe comes as the Police Complaints Authority prepares to report on its findings into Mr Alam's claims that he was wrongly jailed for 18 months in 1966 for handling stolen cars.

Mr Alam, was a serving police constable with the force's traffic department when he was imprisoned, despite protesting his innocence, and claims he had been set up.

He served nine months behind bars.

A Northumbria Police team has been investigating Mr Alam's allegations of perjury against his accusers and those officers who gave evidence against him.

It is understood that Inspector George Wakerley, of Cleveland Police, is looking into Mr Alam's new allegation of assault.

This complaint followed a combined local authority and police safety blitz on taxis in the centre of Middlesbrough last month.

Part-time taxi driver Mr Alam had been stopped by a council official for having a defective brake light. He had the bulb replaced and was returning to his cab after handing a council official a chit verifying the work had been carried out, when the alleged incident took place.

Mr Alam said: "I don't feel it is appropriate to comment on a matter, which is still being investigated, much as I would like to.''

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: "We can confirm that an allegation about what amounts to a technical assault has been made, and the matter is being looked at.''

As well as Mr Alam's claims of perjury at his trial, Northumbria Police have also been looking at a failed industrial tribunal that Mr Alam brought against the force for alleged racial discrimination, a year before he was jailed.

Although Mr Alam lost his appeal, Peter Rennie, the tribunal chairman, accused some senior officers of suffering a "convenient and partial loss of memory".