A Christian street preacher who was arrested and held in cells for 19 hours for telling two teenagers that homosexual acts are sinful has been paid £13,000 in compensation by the Manchester Police force.

According to the Daily Telegraph, John Craven, 57, was preaching from his soapbox in Manchester City Centre when two gay teenagers ask Son”.

The teenagers then began kissing in front of him before approaching a mounted policeman and claiming that Mr Craven’s comments had caused them “harrassment and distress.”

The constable arrested Craven, and he was detained in cells for 19 hours without food, water, or access to medication for his rheumatoid arthritis.

After his release, Craven sued the Manchester police force under the Human Rights Act for “wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and breach of human rights”, and was paid £13,000 in an out-of court settlement.

Mr Craven said after the settlement was reached: “I never intended to cause anyone harassment, alarm or distress. In fact, quite the opposite.

“I preach the gospel which means good news and the love of God for all.

Colin Hart, the director of The Christian Institute, which paid for the case, said: “Nobody should face 19 hours in custody for answering a question about their beliefs. Freedom of expression is a basic human right.”

Supt Alan Greene, of Greater Manchester Police, said he could not go into further details, but added: “We can acknowledge that we did make mistakes and kept the claimant in custody for too long.”