A former policeman has been cleared of misconduct charges and supplying drugs.

Christopher Clark faced three misconduct charges at Norwich Crown Court for not recording drugs.

The former firearms officer, who was handed a bravery award in 2008 by then prime minister, Gordon Brown, for saving a man from the sea in Lowestoft, was also accused of supplying cannabis. The accusations related to a suspected bag of cannabis which was found when he was called to reports of a break-in at a flat in Battery Green, Lowestoft on January 23 2011.

The court had heard how Clark, of Denmark Road, Lowestoft, had said he was unsure of his powers over seizing the drug from the home and that he felt he had taken a 'common sense, level-headed approach'.

Clark broke down in tears when the jury returned the not guilty verdict in little over an hour.

For three separate charges, which related to police ammunition found in his possession, Clark was ordered to pay �1,200 in court costs, a �800 fine and a �15 victim surcharge.