A Kent man detained for almost two months in Egypt has spoken of his ordeal after being released from prison.

Alisdare Hickson has returned home to New Dover Road, Canterbury, after spending eight weeks in a Cairo jail - where he was beaten and cut with a knife.

The 48-year-old was arrested on suspicion of throwing rocks along with 16 others in the Egyptian capital during political unrest.

Alisdare, who had been living in Egypt with his partner Seifein since 2007, claims he was actually taking pictures for a book to document the uprising.

He is now "thrilled" to be back in his home town after suffering at the hands of the Egyptian police.

Alisadare said: "I ended up taking pictures in an area that I knew was more risky. Police were rushing up and down the street, people were running towards me and I was taking pictures of them. I ran up a side street and ended up in an alleyway with no escape.

"It was terrifying, the police gave me several blows to my head. I was shouting English as they dragged me along the road.

"I was kept in a room with 33 other people for eight days, which was very cramped. The top prisoner cut my neck once when I offered food to an elderly man. At one stage I was handcuffed to a man who was beaten from head to toe.

Alisdare Hickson pictured in Cairo's Tahrir Square after the fall of President Mubarak

"I was also put in a van packed with children. It was absolutely packed and when the van stopped the heat was unbearable. The children were crying for water. The police beat them for taking their tops off. I was terrified too.

"They just wanted to make us feel like animals. There was a mentally handicapped man in the prison with me. The jail was controlled by drug dealers and they frequently beat him. It was really difficult, I often felt depressed.

"It feels absolutely fantastic to be back in Canterbury. When I was in prison I would think of the simple things like going to the shops here. I want to thank everyone who helped me to be freed - especially my family and friends."

His father Tony Hickson, who had been campaigning tirelessly to see his son released, said: “We are very happy to have him home.

"I have been having dinner with him and catching up. It is a big relief as Cairo prisons are pretty horrific. The main thing is that he is back home and we are delighted he made it back to Canterbury safely."