A man whose kneecap was fractured while being arrested waited eight hours for treatment despite custody staff being repeatedly told of his injury, the police watchdog found.

The 41-year-old sustained the injury during a struggle with officers at Falkirk police station on April 28 last year.

He had gone to the station after an incident at a pub in the town centre. At the station he explained he became confused and explained this was due to a brain injury which required a titanium plate to be fitted to his head.

Two officers then returned to the station from the pub and arrested him. During the ensuing struggle one of the officers swept his legs away, causing him to fall heavily onto his left knee.

Despite limping heavily, he was then taken into custody by the officers.

The case was referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), who found the man was given a wheelchair and crutches but was not examined by a custody nurse.

He and the arresting officer made custody staff aware of the injury at least 20 times during the eight hours he spent in detention, Pirc said.

It was only on his release he went to hospital, where it was found he had a fractured kneecap.

The Pirc report stated: "The man was not examined by a clinical forensic nurse until about 5.34am on April 29, some eight hours after he had been arrested when he was prescribed Paracetamol and Ibuprofen tablets, nor was he taken to hospital."

The report also found regulations were not followed by the duty officers in charge on the night.

It stated: "The man's custody record was not accurately maintained during his period in custody. In particular, the dispensing of Ibuprofen tablets by custody staff and his repeated complaint about his injured knee were not recorded.

"No adverse incident report was created by police custody sergeants, as is required by Police Scotland's Care and Welfare of Persons in Police Custody Standard Operating Procedures."

The report went on to note that there was no CCTV footage of the entire incident and inconsistencies had been found in police witness statements, Meanwhile, the arrested man was unable to clearly recall events, leading to the report concluding "it cannot be confirmed if the level of force used by the arresting officer was proportionate or justified".

The commissioner recommended Police Scotland remind custody officers that in such cases detainees should be examined by medical staff as soon as possible.

They should also accurately record all interactions with people in police custody, including complaints of injuries and any medication provided to them, the commissioner added.

Superintendent Phil Davison said: "Police Scotland accepts the findings of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner and will respond to the recommendations made.

"Officers have been reminded of the importance of accurate record keeping."