DRIVER Dayne Smith found himself locked in a police cell and ushered into court in handcuffs - over a speeding fine he had already paid.

The 21-year-old from Radcliffe had appeared in court after a police officer with a radar gun caught him speeding and he was given a £200 fine, plus points on his licence.

The fine was paid by his father - and Dayne thought he had met all his obligations.

But then police pushed a note through his door telling him that there was a warrant out for his arrest over his non-attendance in court for the speeding offence.

Dayne rang immediately and went straight to the police station where he spoke to a sergeant who confirmed there was warrant out for his arrest.

He was told to return on the Monday and sort it out with the warrant officer.

Yet when he returned, he was arrested, taken in a police car to Bury Magistrates' Court and put in a cell.

He spent six hours in custody and he is now pursuing a claim for unlawful imprisonment.

"I was brought up to the dock in handcuffs surrounded by security officers and explained that I had already been in court and paid the fine," he said.

"I showed them my dad's credit card statement with it on. I thought that would be the end of it, but I couldn't believe it when they adjourned for lunch.

"They said I didn't have to go back to the cells, but I mustn't leave the building. After that, they came back, said there had been a mistake, apologised and said I was free to go."

"Apart from the fact that they had made a mistake, I couldn't understand why I was in the cells and in handcuffs anyway just for speeding."

Jeanette Miller, managing partner of Manchester solicitors JS Miller, said: "No amount of compensation can make up for being held in cells for a crime you have not committed."

A spokesman for Bury Magistrates' Court declined to comment.