A 44-year-old teacher who took a stand against what he claimed to be “arbitrary and unprofessional” treatment by Kent Police has agreed to be bound over by a court.

Stephen Cross,of Queen Street, Ashford, had refused to accept the order in February after officers were called to his home following an argument with his partner, Vanessa Savia.

He was arrested, to prevent a breach of the peace, spent a night in the cells and appeared in court the following day.

Last Friday, Folkestone magistrates heard the couple had rowed during the evening of February 23, in a disagreement which escalated beyond raised voices.

Mr Cross said Miss Savia, who runs Savia’s gift shop in Middle Row, Ashford, had hit his arm. He then locked and barricaded himself in the study, bathroom and bedroom to avoid further confrontation, during which a door was damaged and he said he pushed Miss Savia away by the throat in self-defence.

The couple’s lodger, Tamasine Clark, dialled 999 and police arrived just before 11.30pm.

Mr Cross, who teaches at Swadelands School, Lenham, near Maidstone, said: “I was disturbed by the way in which I was arrested, taken barefoot into the street in slushy snow without a chance to explain. I am standing up for something I believe in. I felt it was unjust. If this is happening to me in such a minor case, what is happening to people maybe not as intelligent as I am.”

Miss Savia and Miss Clark did not give evidence, but PC Zoe Dupree said: “Mr Cross was quite worked up. It was clear some violence had occurred. I acted in accordance with my duty to remove the person from the premises to prevent a further risk of violence, damage or injury.”

Piers Restell, prosecuting, raised the issue of Mr Cross’s previous convictions, which include theft, burglary, criminal damage and obtaining property by deception, saying he had misled the court by not revealing he had been trouble with the police before.

“You say you are fighting to preserve your good name. I suggest you don’t have a good name,” he added.

Mr Cross said: “These occurred when I was a teenager. I was a delinquent back then. That is why I am a teacher now.”

He agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for a year in the sum of £100 and was ordered to pay £300 costs.