HUMBERSIDE Police have paid out more than £6,700 after arresting a 15-year-old boy in a case of mistaken identity, the Mail can reveal.

Joshua Stevens was arrested at his family home in Kyffin Avenue, east Hull, last January, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

He spent 13 hours under lock and key.

Joshua was fingerprinted, had his picture taken and a saliva swab used to get a DNA profile.

But his arrest turned out to be a case of mistaken identity.

A claim by Williamsons Solicitors on behalf of Joshua – now aged 16 – saying the arrest was wrongful and that he was detained unlawfully, has now been settled by the force.

His father Alan told the Mail the family will now be able to move forward.

He said: "Joshua still has nightmares about spending the night in the cells but at least this means the end of everything.

"It has taken a year, and all we wanted was recognition that something went wrong – I feel the settlement demonstrates this."

The force is paying Joshua £3,861, is settling legal fees of £2,558 and is reimbursing the teenager's parents with £337, after they cancelled a holiday when their son was arrested.

A letter from the force's solicitors states: "The offer is made to settle with no further action".

Humberside Police were unavailable for comment when contacted by the Mail.

Officers previously apologised for what happened and agreed to destroy a sample of DNA taken from Joshua after his arrest.