Two Southampton men were yesterday acquitted in Magistrates' Court of assaulting Police officers.

Carlos Rogers, 24, of Sinky Bay and 18-year-old Cannoth Roberts of Middle Road denied charges of assaulting a Police officer while he or she was carrying out their duty, wilfully obstructing a Police officer carrying out his or her duty, and violently resisting arrest.

The alleged offences were said to have occurred on September 20 last year in Somerset when Police attempted to question and search both men under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The officers -- a sergeant and two Police constables -- approached the two men who were sitting in a car on Cambridge Road around 3 a.m. when the men became "abusive and violent'', the court heard.

But after hearing evidence from Police and the defence, Magistrate the Wor.

Charles-Etta Simmons ruled that the officers did not present "reasonable'' grounds for executing a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

She therefore acquitted both men who were represented by Sen. Lawrence Scott.

Crown Counsel Mr. Brian Calhoun told The Royal Gazette he has been instructed by the Attorney General to appeal the decision.