A MAN who was wrongfully arrested and treated unfairly has received an apology from police.

64-year-old George Keers was arrested from his home in Galston back in March after he allegedly failed to appear as a witness at a trial at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.

And he told how the turnkey at Saltcoats said he needed a wash and called him a ‘f*****g div’.

George told the Herald that after his arrest he asked for a solicitor and the civilian worker allegedly told him ‘you’re not f*****g getting a solicitor before he was asked for ‘sharps’ which George understood as any sharp implements but he said he was bundled into his cell and was allegedly told to ‘listen, you f*****g div.’ by the turnkey.

George said: “He was calling me all the names of the day. I thought the best thing would be to get some sleep but he kept slamming the hatch every 30 minutes and then I got a frozen meal and a spoonful of tea. I made no complaints but then he made a remark about my hygiene and said I was ‘a bit whiffy’ .

Police issued an apology to Mr Keers after the incident was captured on CCTV.

George added: “I felt humiliated and ridiculed. I don’t think he’s fit to work with the public.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We can confirm a complaint was received regarding an allegation of incivility by a police member of staff towards an individual in custody at Saltcoats Police Station. Following an investigation the complaint was upheld and an apology was offered. The matter is currently being considered internally.”