A MAN who was arrested for abusing a paramedic has won a £1,000 payout after a police officer revealed details of the incident to another person.

The 36-year-old from Canvey was arrested for a public order offence after swearing at an ambulance crew attending a road crash more than a year ago.

But the man was outraged when a friend mentioned a police officer had revealed details of his arrest a month later.

After seeking legal advice he won a settlement from Essex Police after an investigation found the officer’s behaviour was not deliberate, and the disclosure was a genuine mistake.

The man, who claims he wasn’t abusive, said: “A police officer should act more professionally and competently when dealing with a person’s confidential information.

“I feel the disclosure was malicious and deliberate because the officer discussed my details with a third party. This has caused me a great deal of embarrassment, inconvenience and distress.” An Essex Police spokesman confirmed the force had made an out-of-court settlement for a breach of confidence.

He said: “The man was arrested for swearing and shouting at an ambulance crew dealing with a road crash in the early hours of the morning at Dovervelt Road Canvey.

“The man was subsequently issued with a fixed penalty notice for a public order offence.

“Details of his arrest on December 6, 2009 were disclosed in error to a third party.”