It was about justice, says Noel Fielding’s friend who sued Met over arrest

The High Court heard that he and the Mighty Boosh star had been “almost the last men standing” after an all-night party in north London in April 2010.

As the pair left, Fielding was recognised by two police officers who thought he and Mr Browne, a former bodyguard to Amy Winehouse, were showing signs of drugs use.

Judge Rosalind Coe awarded the £108,491 payout after ruling police had used unreasonable force to bring Mr Browne to the floor during the arrest in a convenience store in Kentish Town. His leg was broken in four places, with doctors saying his injuries looked like he had “fallen out of a balcony”.

The former public schoolboy, who served 12 years in jail for his part in a botched armed robbery, said: “The £108,000 isn’t enough at all, but that’s not the point. To me it was always about winning and being vindicated.

“It took guts for the judge to rule in my favour — especially because of my past — and it shows that anyone can get justice if you pay your dues. I’d like to send her a Christmas card, but I don’t think that’s the done thing.”

The Met said it would review the judgment. The court heard that officers found traces of cocaine on Mr Browne, who had been asked to clear away drugs paraphernalia from the party, but no further action was taken. Fielding, 41, was handcuffed and strip-searched but no drugs were found.

Mr Browne, who earned up to £1,000-a-day as a bodyguard, said: “It was a nice day with the sun coming up, but it turned into a nightmare for me.”