The parents of an autistic teenager who was allegedly left with bruising after an arrest have complained to the police watchdog.

Christopher Howard was detained after suspected criminal damage at West Malling Cricket Meadow off Norman Road, West Malling.

His mother, Claudette Howard, claims police didn’t take into account her son’s autism and pushed him to the ground before kneeing him several times.

When the 16-year-old mentioned his disabilities one officer is alleged to have said: “You look OK to me.”

At the time of arrest the teenager was carrying a card issued to him by an autism charity warning emergency services of the dangers of his condition.

The card, which was designed with the help of emergency services including Kent Police, warns that the holder may have difficulty communicating and appear anxious or exhibit behaviour that could be misinterpreted.

The case was assessed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), however has since handed the case back to be dealt with at a local level.

Mrs Howard said: “Christopher has been unable to sleep properly since the incident. I’m disgusted by the behaviour of Kent Police officers, and will be waiting to hear the results of the complaint.”

He was taken to Tonbridge Police Station in Pembury Road where he was held in a prison cell overnight.

He was kept in the police station for 15 hours, and his parents say he wasn’t offered any food and requests for his asthma inhaler were ignored.

His parents were also concerned that Christopher was supposedly read his rights that evening without an appropriate adult being present. He was questioned by officers the following morning before being released.

A spokesman for the IPCC said: "After assessment we have decided the complaint is suitable for local investigation by Kent Police. The complainant will have the right of appeal to the IPCC at the end of the investigation if they are not satisfied with the findings or outcome."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "On August 9 Kent Police arrested a 16-year-old boy on suspicion of causing criminal damage and an appropriate adult was present during police interview.

"A complaint was later made to Kent Police around the circumstances of the arrests and the juvenile’s subsequent detention in custody, which was referred to the IPCC for further investigation.

"The IPCC has since decided that the complaint is suitable for local investigation and as such the complaint has been referred back to Kent Police. The matter remains a live investigation and as such we are unable to comment further at this time."