A MAN who was charged with assaulting and obstructing two police constables in Hereford has spoken of his relief after the case against him was discontinued.

Martin Krauze, 22, was at the centre of a social media storm last November when his friend filmed and shared a video of him being arrested on Commercial Road.

In a matter of days the online video attracted more than 40,000 views and caused a debate on social media.

Mr Krauze, from Dilwyn, was later charged with assaulting a constable in the execution of their duty, obstructing/resisting a constable in the execution of their duty and being drunk and disorderly.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) also launched an investigation into the force used by the police during the arrest and the watchdog is still appealing for witnesses.

However, when Mr Krauze attended Hereford Magistrates Court last week, he was told the case against him had been discontinued.

He said: “Obviously I felt good because I have never been in trouble like this before or in court so I didn’t know what to think. All the way through I was really nervous and kept thinking about it.”

Comments were shared by hundreds of people when the video was posted online – some were supportive of him, others less so.

“It was actually quite difficult," he added.

"There was lots of people saying they were there and saw me ‘biting’ the fingers of the police but others were standing up for me. But those that were saying they were there and weren’t, it really hurt."

He said he was shocked at how much attention the video received and was surprised when he was charged following the incident.

“I was very, very surprised about me getting charged with assaulting a police officer,” he said. “It was a shock for me because I did not do it and there were quite a few witnesses who saw it all. There was a girl who said she didn’t know me but had seen it all. So that helped obviously.”

Mr Krauze said he had been in the area, watching another incident and had been in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ before the arrest which, he said, he did nothing to prompt.

However he has praised two officers who were with him in hospital, saying they were ‘good’ to him.

Anyone able to assist the IPCC investigation, should call 0800 068 3356 or email herefordappeal@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk