The former bosses of a controversial psychiatric hospital are suing Norfolk Constabulary for more than £16m following a failed fraud prosecution.

Andrew Breeze and Dominic Wilson were in charge of the now-closed Cawston Park when they were arrested and accused of overcharging the NHS for services in 2006.

The accusations saw the pair charged with fraud amid claims they had deliberately overcharged the health service to the tune of £2.5m.

However, the extraordinary case collapsed after seven weeks in July 2009 after the Crown Prosecution Service said it would provide no further evidence.

Eastern Daily Press:

Judge Andrew Bate told the pair at the time: "You leave vindicated with your good name intact and your heads held high."

But now, 17 years after their original arrests, the former bosses have launched a compensation claim against the police for more than £16m, alleging the prosecution was malicious and left them in financial ruin.

Despite their names being cleared, Cawston Park Holdings, which 68-year-old Mr Breeze and 50-year-old Mr Wilson ran together, eventually dissolved in February 2011.

Speaking outside the High Court following the latest hearing in the wrangle, Mr Breeze told MailOnline: "My whole life was completely turned upside down and I was thrown into a mental state of complete helplessness where there appeared to be no end.

"The police effectively ended up career, taking away choices I could have had, had this not happened.

"My professional and personal career was ruined, with my integrity in question."

A spokeswoman for Norfolk Constabulary said: "We can confirm legal proceedings are ongoing and are being defended. As a result, we will not comment further.”

The failed prosecution came several years before the tragic deaths of three patients at the site in Cawston - which happened after it had been taken over by the Jeezal group.