though the charges he faced had already been dropped.

Andrew Simons, 36, of Spanish View Road, Smith's, was arrested at his home on Saturday night. A warrant had been issued for Simons after he had failed to appear in court to face traffic offences, including driving without a licence and no insurance.

He was eventually released on Saturday evening -- more than 24 hours after his arrest -- and ordered to appear in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

But yesterday Senior Magistrate Will Francis threw the case out after Simons had the chance to explain that the case had already been withdrawn by Police months earlier.

"I was in court about two months ago but you dismissed the case because you couldn't find the tickets,'' Simons said.

"I got picked up again at the weekend -- I guess the tickets never got out of the system.

Mr. Francis, who only had photocopies of the tickets, agreed to drop the case after prosecutor Larry Mussenden offered up no evidence.

Once out of the courtroom a delighted Simons hugged his wife and explained that he would not be taking any further action against the Police.

"They made a mistake but I made a mistake too,'' he said.

"I'm not saying that I didn't do what they say I did. But if they lose the information I don't see why I should have to be tried.

"They came knocking on my door on Friday evening. I was half asleep and they were knocking and knocking and then they barged right in. They treated me like a criminal.

"But it's over now -- unless they come and pick me up again.''