Police used an incapacitant spray on handcuffed Johnny Connor

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A dad was squirted with a pepper spray-style substance while handcuffed in a police van after an officer said: "Make him fry."

Bodycam footage captured the moment Johnny Connor was sprayed, with the gas so potent an officer is recorded coughing as he leaves the van.

Mr Connor is now taking legal action over the incident - branded "inhumane" by his solicitor - after a jury found him not guilty of allegations linked to the dramatic scenes. Merseyside Police said the force is "reviewing the circumstances of the incident".

Police body worn cameras and the mobile phone of a witness captured footage of the events of late May, 2020, when Mr Connor was arrested in a Wirral street.

He was handcuffed and led to a police van to prevent a breach of the peace after officers were called to a dispute in Wallasey.

Officers can be heard arguing with the 38-year-old while he is in the back of the vehicle, accusing him of stopping them from closing the door to the caged area.

Mr Connor said his right leg has a pin through it and he was struggling to lift it into place.

While the argument continued, officers appear to slam the door on the dad-of-four while one can be heard saying: "PAVA him. Someone PAVA him. Make him fry."

PAVA is an incapacitant spray that is used by Merseyside Police.

Guidance previously issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers, a national police body, states that it "primarily affects the eyes causing closure and severe pain".

ACPO has advised that it should only be used at a distance of less than one metre if the risk to the officer involved is so severe that it "cannot be avoided".

Following the "make him fry" comment - possibly a reference to the burning sensation it is said to cause, another police officer can be heard accusing Mr Connor of assaulting him, to which he responds: "No I never."

Seconds later Mr Connor is heard screaming as PAVA spray is used.

Footage from Birkenhead custody suite later on that evening shows Mr Connor lying on the ground and begging for water as he tells officers the burning sensation caused by the spray is continuing.

Mr Connor claimed he had to attend hospital the following day, and had fits as a result of the spray being used on him.

His solicitor, Iain Gould of DPP Law, believes his client was wrongfully arrested and subjected to "inhumane" treatment.

He added: "Whilst he was handcuffed and confined in the ‘cage’ at the back of a police van, he was doused at close-range in PAVA gas by one officer, egged on by another officer with the words: 'Make him fry'.

"Mr Connor was then left trapped in the cage without any assistance, aftercare or access to fresh air for around 20 minutes, during which time his eyes, nose and face felt as though they were burning."

The incident Mr Connor's arrest centred on was a dispute that unfolded on a residential street, with police already present as Mr Connor and his partner arrived at the scene.

The dad-of-four argues he attended in a bid to prevent trouble, not cause it.

He was later charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, claims that emerged from the police effort to lock him in the van.

But last month a Liverpool Crown Court jury, presented with some of the footage revealed today, cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Mr Connor, who has previous convictions, said he had turned his life around before he was arrested.

The dad, from New Brighton, said: "There was a 14 month wait for my trial and I felt like I was having a heart attack the stress was that bad. I have built a life for myself. I have severe ADHD, I had an erratic life, but once I was diagnosed and had treatment I built a life. I thought that was going to be taken away from me."

He said he cried when the jury delivered their verdict but remained "angry, very angry" that he was prosecuted and believes many in a similar situation would admit wrongdoing even if they were innocent because of the fear of what could happen if they chose to fight their case.

Now he is free to continue with his life, Mr Connor said he plans to leave Merseyside in the hope of securing a fresh start.

He said: "My chest pains have gone, everyday I get a little better. I'm getting stronger every day."

However, he said he is also keen to highlight his legal victory, arguing it vindicated his belief that he was an innocent man unfairly prosecuted.

And his battle with Merseyside Police is set to continue, with him now pursuing claims for assault and battery, false imprisonment and malicious prosecution.