A POLICE sergeant held down a man who was being beaten by another sergeant, a court heard.

David Joseph and Anthony Bryan, both 50, are accused of attacking David Shepard, at Basildon police station.

Mr Shepard was drunk and became abusive towards the owners of a burger van on February 17, last year, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Mr Shepard, in his early 20s, was arrested and taken to the Basildon station and placed in the care of Bryan.

Stephen Dyble, prosecuting, said by the time Mr Shepard got to the station he was calm, compliant and made repeated appeals to use the toilet.

But after his requests fell on deaf ears, he decided to urinate in his cell.

Bryan and Joseph removed Mr Shepard's handcuffs and took him to another cell.

It is alleged that on the way there, in a corridor, Joseph hit Mr Shepard, which, Mr Dyble told the jury, was captured on CCTV.

Mr Dyble said: "There's no suggestion of violence from the detainee to the officers."

The prosecution claims Mr Shepard was then put in a new cell, where a number of officers witnessed Joseph attack him.

Mr Dyble said: "Mr Shepard was held face down and Sgt Joseph continued to strike Mr Shepard.

"All the officers say Sgt Joseph continually used unlawful force.

"Sgt Bryan continued to assist in the restraint of Mr Shepard. It is the crown's case that Sgt Bryan aided and abetted the unlawful assault by Sgt Joseph."

Joseph denies actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice by falsifying custody records.

Bryan denies actual bodily harm and a charge of misconduct in public office in relation to not protecting Mr Shepard and not reporting Joseph.

The trial continues.