A Bradford police officer who lost his job when accused of selling counterfeit goods may appeal against the decision after being cleared.

Talib Khan, 34, who served at Trafalgar House police station in Bradford, was yesterday unanimously cleared by a jury at Bradford Crown Court of knowingly selling fake hair straighteners.

The jury of seven women and five men took just an hour to find Mr Khan not guilty after a three-day trial.

He had denied a charge of intending to make a profit by selling a product that had a sign identical to a registered trade mark.

The judge, Recorder Dean Kershaw, told the jury they had reached the right verdict.

Recorder Kershaw told prosecutor Chris Tonge: “It did strike me you were on a bit of an uphill battle.”

The judge said he was not blaming the Crown Prosecution Service in any way, but sometimes a global look at the evidence was helpful and discretion was always available.

Mr Khan, of Hanson Lane, Halifax, had been offered a caution, but that had been refused.

It had been alleged Mr Khan had advertised two pairs of counterfeit GHD hair straighteners on an internal police website in November 2008.

A pink pair of tongs was offered for sale at £100 and a white pair for £75.

His adverts said: “If anyone is interested in purchasing one or more pairs, I have a friend who is selling them.”

Mr Khan admitted placing the advert but insisted he did not know the items were fakes.

He stared calmly ahead as the jury foreman returned the not guilty verdict.

West Yorkshire Police said PC Khan had been suspended following the allegations and subsequently dismissed.

After the verdict Mr Khan said it was a huge relief to him and his family.

A statement read out on his behalf said: “Throughout this, Mr Khan has always maintained his innocence.

“He has now been totally vindicated by the jury and the judge’s comments about the prosecution.

“Mr Khan now wants to be able to rebuild his life. It has been a difficult time over the past year or so, in particular given that he lost his job because of these allegations.

“At this moment in time cannot comment any further on that issue until we can consider that position further.”