A DRINKER who witnessed police punching a suspect in the face said he told them they were "out of order" during the incident.

PC Daniel Reed, of Darlington Police, is facing a misconduct hearing over allegations he used excessive force when he punched a Tasered man in the face as he resisted arrest.

His superior, now-retired Sergeant Gary O’Neill, is also facing gross misconduct allegations for not recording the incident or challenging PC Reed’s behaviour.

The alleged victim, known as Witness A, was temporarily paralysed and lying on the floor in the town’s Dalesman pub when he was punched several times by PC Reed, it is alleged.

A man who was drinking in the Dalesman at the time, said he saw one officer punching Witness A in the face as police struggled to restrain him, then another, PC Reed, punching him as he lay motionless on the floor.

He told the hearing in Spennymoor: “I was looking at the officers, and I was shouting over to them saying, you shouldn’t be doing that.

“There was a lot of noise and I was shouting at one officer, initially the first officer and then the second officer. They were all shouting at each other, even the officers themselves.”

The witness claimed one of the officers – not PC Reed – told him: “It is none of your f****** business” when he tried to stop them.

The hearing was told the incident, which was over in seconds, was "chaotic", noisy and a female officer had sprayed pepper spray twice in the pub as Witness A resisted arrest.

PC Mike Marr, one of PC Reed’s closest colleagues, gave character evidence for him, describing him as a "consummate professional" who was "slow to anger".

He said: “He is professional in his manner, takes time to come to a decision and he is very thoughtful and methodical.

“I have seen Daniel react in situations where perhaps other people would have overreacted but I think his reaction in incidents of extreme stress and pressure have been proportionate to what has been going on.”

He gave examples of some incidents in which PC Reed had acted well, including trying to save the life of a man who had collapsed on a train, and dealing compassionately with people suffering from mental illness.

PC Reed and former Sgt O’Neill deny the allegations against them.

The retired officer has not been present at the hearing as he is on holiday. He is understood to be one of the first retired officers to face misconduct proceedings since the law changed in December.

Witnees A complained about the incident after being left with a black eye and swollen lip. The hearing continues.