A Hong Kong born hairdresser who was beaten up and called a "Chink" by London policemen won record damages yesterday.
Mr Kenneth Hsu (32) was awarded sterling £220,000, the highest ever damages awarded against British police.
A hearing heard that police officers went to Mr Hsu's London home in July 1992 after a dispute involving a tenant. When he refused to let them in because they had no warrant, the officers attacked and arrested him.
"My client was grabbed by the arms, which were twisted up his back and then handcuffed behind him. He was held in a neck lock, which is now illegal," said his lawyer, Mr Sidiq Khan.
"They punched and kicked him in the (police) van and he was kicked in the kidneys. Another policeman used his back as a footstool."
One police officer taunted Mr Hsu that he had "never arrested a Chink before", Mr Khan said.
Hsu was released late at night and thrown into the street wearing just jeans and flip flop shoes. When he got home, he found the front door had been left open and his stereo and other property had been stolen, Mr Khan said.
But the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Paul Condon, said in a statement he was appealing against the size of the award, although not the verdict itself.
"The police officers involved will not be disciplined and will continue with their normal duties," a police spokeswoman said.