A man taking legal action against the police has denied he was drunk or high on drugs when he was arrested.

John Whelan, 22, is claiming compensation at Brighton County Court for assault, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution seven years ago.

His allegations are denied by Sussex Police.

The jury has heard how Mr Whelan, now 22, was 15 when he was arrested following a night out at a youth club in December 1997.

After the event at St Richard's Community Centre in Egmont Road, Hove, groups of youths were hanging around nearby and the police were called following complaints from residents about the disturbance caused by teenagers swearing, banging on windows and urinating in gardens.

Mr Whelan, of Portland Road, Hove, told the court he was saying goodnight to friends in Bellingham Road and heading home because he wanted to avoid any trouble when, without warning, a police officer hit him with a truncheon from behind on his buttocks, causing him searing pain.

He claimed he was slammed onto a car bonnet and handcuffed so tightly he could not move his hands.

He was taken to Hove police station where officers lent on his back and legs as he lay face-down on the floor of a cell while they searched him.

He said he sat in the cell crying and calling for the police to contact his parents but he got no response.

The jury heard Mr Whelan was charged with resisting arrest and assaulting PC Andrew Salmon but was acquitted by magistrates at Brighton Youth Court after a hearing in 1998.

At yesterday's hearing, Mr Whelan denied, during cross-examination, he had been drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

He said: "I was no threat. I was on my way home. I cannot think of any reason why he hit me."

He denied pushing PC Salmon in the back or being informed he was being arrested for threatening behaviour.

He told Paul Stagg, representing Sussex Police, it was not true he had reacted with anger to being struck by the baton and struggled with the officers and swore at them, including calling them "pigs."

The jury heard youth workers from the community centre who saw Mr Whelan's arrest wrote a four-page letter to the police voicing their concerns about officers' behaviour that night.

Jenny Moore, one of the youth workers, told the court she had repeatedly told the officers arresting him he was only 15.

She said: "I could not see this young man had done anything to warrant being thrown against a car.

"I thought I ought to watch what was happening. I moved closer."

She said the police were shouting aggressively and swearing at her and other youngsters, some as young as 13.

She said: "The whole situation was frightening. John was very distressed and crying uncontrollably. He seemed to be in pain.

"I remember him looking at me and he was absolutely terrified."

The case continues.