DISGRACED Kent firefighter Garry Mann claims Portuguese police were wrong when they accused him of masterminding a riot in Albufeira.

Mann, 46, from Faversham, was sentenced to two years in jail by a Portuguese judge but released on a technicality when he was deported to the UK.

Mann insists he is innocent and has been victimised. He says he had "a thoroughly unfair trial" and was subjected to "sleep deprivation and beatings" by police in Albufeira in the Algarve.

Mann, speaking at a press conference at the offices of the Fair Trials Abroad group in London, claimed police in Albufeira had attacked him as he left a bar to return to his hotel.

"I was at a bar called the Blues Bar, with a friend and my brother, nowhere near the alleged riot site," he said. "I was then held at the police headquarters with a number of others.

"We were subjected to 15 hours of sleep deprivation and beatings if we attempted to shut our eyes." He stressed: "Me and my family are devastated by these events."

Portuguese police have denied using unnecessary force against supporters and mistreatment.

Mann is appealing against his fast-track conviction in Portugal with the backing of Fair Trials Abroad.

Kent Fire Brigade has suspended him from his job while they carry out an investigation.