A SCHIZOPHRENIC'S bid to sue the police came to an abrupt end yesterday when he withdrew his case.

Gerard Kowald had claimed false imprisonment and malicious prosecution against Cleveland Police. He was seeking damages after being arrested and charged with indecent assault in 1994.

Mr Kowald had been at a confidence building and assertiveness course at Stockton and Billingham Technical College at the time of the assault, which occurred at the Castle Eden Walkway.

Yesterday, after legal advice, Mr Kowald, of Thornaby, withdrew his complaint against Cleveland Police, which had denied liability. His barrister David Gripton told Teesside County Court that although Mr Kowald suffered from paranoia he was an intelligent man.

Mr Gripton said: "The matter that concerned him most greatly out of all this affair was the effect upon his reputation.

"He has now heard the prosecution, on behalf of the Chief Constable, accept that he was at that class in Stockton and Billingham College between 6pm and 8pm, on September 28, 1994.

"That has discharged a burden that he had put upon himself, demonstrating he was not the person responsible for those offences."

Toby Winn, for Cleveland Police, said that given Mr Kowald's psychiatric condition it was understandable how the claim was brought.

The judge, Recorder James Goss QC, said: "A number of allegations have been made against the police during the course of this case, but there is no evidence whatever to support his allegations."

A police spokeswoman said: "Although the officers didn't have an opportunity to give their evidence after Mr Kowald withdrew his claim, the judge did make comment that there was no basis for there being any question regarding the integrity of our officers, and we fully support the way they investigated the case."