TWO nightclub doormen say they intend to take civil action against Gwent Police, claiming malicious prosecution, over the way the force handled an investigation which landed them in court.

Tony Bryan and Rudi Paders say they will also complain to police watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission and are appealing against a conviction for not displaying their bouncer’s badges.

The pair were cleared at Abergavenny Magistrates’ Court on April 5 of causing fear or provocation of violence following an incident outside Newport’s Warehouse 54 club on October 28.

But both received a six-month conditional discharge and were ordered to pay £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after being found guilty of not displaying their security licences at the time of the incident.

The court heard the pair were not working at the time of the incident, and were merely responding to a call for help from their friend and bar owner, Iftekhar Haris.

Legal papers shown to the Argus argue that as the men were not working they had no reason to display their badges.

During their trial the court heard Mr Bryan, 27, and Mr Paders, 43, were called from their beds by Mr Haris, who asked for their help following an incident in his club.

The men, who were not in uniform, attended, and began talking to two men who had been asked to leave over worries they were smoking cannabis.

Paders and Bryan say they thought one of the men had a knife, and in order to protect themselves and the public used reasonable force to restrain him until police arrived.

The friends, who have never been in trouble with the police before, were later arrested after one of the men complained about his treatment to police.

The court heard he later withdrew his statement, but police proceeded with the case anyway.

Since their arrest Bryan and Paders have been unable to work after their security licences were suspended.

They are currently trying to get them reinstated.

They say their names have been tarnished and they have suffered a great deal of stress since the incident.

Mr Paders, who has been a door supervisor for 24 years and has been stabbed twice in the line of his work, said: “We are peace-makers, there to make people safe.

“When there is a threat, you take notice and you don’t ignore it, people underestimate the danger of being a door supervisor.”

Legal papers are still being finalised for the civil claim, but their solicitor, Richie Garner, said the men believe the case was maliciously pursued by the force and would be seeking damages and loss of earnings.

Gwent Police said they could not comment until a complaint had been made.