Michael Bunting was working for West Yorkshire Police in 1997 when he was attacked during a call to a domestic dispute in Leeds. He fought back as he was being repeatedly punched in the head, and two years later found himself charged with actual bodily harm.

While the charge was dismissed, the court brought another one of common assault, of which he was convicted and sentenced to four months in prison.

He served just 33 days in Armley Prison and Ford Open Prison in Sussex before being released.

Michael, 36, who began his police career in Cleckheaton and now lives in Birstall, provided evidence to the Criminal Case Review Commission to show he had been subjected to a miscarriage of justice.

But he was dealt a fresh blow last week when the commission provisionally said it would not be taking on his case.

Michael, author of A Fair Cop which tells of his experiences, said he planned to appeal the decision before the commission issued its final statement next month.

He is also working on a new book, The Dark Side. A Fair Cop has given Michael nation-wide publicity and last week he was at Birstall Library and Information Centre to talk about his experience.