I anticipated the same kind of anti-working class judgement that has been the order of the day throughout this mining industrial dispute Arthur Scargill

Police responded quickly after the previous day's strikes had seen some of the most violent scenes in the protest.

The defence argued in court that any suggestions of manhandling during the scuffle, which lasted only 18 seconds, were a lie and that the arrest was "brazen, almost brutal".

It was argued police had taken action as part of a preconceived strategy to remove the miners' leader from the scene "almost at any cost".

But police defended their actions arguing they had to defuse a "potentially dangerous situation".

'Poor example'

Mr Scargill was told by magistrates his "actions demonstrated a very poor example for those he sought to lead".

Outside court Mr Scargill said his lawyers were advising him to appeal, although he later said he would not do so.

Speaking to reporters he said: "On the grounds that we presented to the court there was only one judgement which should have been given and that was not guilty."

He said the verdict was not surprising and reflected a prevailing attitude from authorities against the miners.

"I anticipated the same kind of anti-working class judgement that has been the order of the day throughout this mining industrial dispute."

Meanwhile the TUC met with government officials today to try to resolve the industrial dispute but with no progress.

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