A man who says he was bashed by police on the Southern Highlands  four years ago is suing the state for damages.

The District Court  in Sydney has been told Ronald Allen suffered head injuries when assaulted by  police  as he was arrested outside a hotel in Bowral in March 2008.

In a statement tendered to the court Allen claimed  officers forced him into a police car, assaulted him in a holding cell at Bowral police station, and pushed his face into a wall,  while moving him to another cell.

Charges against police officers Martyn Rigby and Paul Chate  were dismissed when the matter was raised in Goulburn Local Court.

The Sydney hearing has been told in 22 years of frontline service there had never been a complaint of violence made against Senior Constable Rigby.

Mr Allen says  he suffered head injuries and facial lacerations, leading to "major depression" and alcohol abuse disorder.

He is claiming damages  for injuries and other disabilities from which he says he continues to suffer, including agitation, feelings of worthlessness and fatigue.

The case is continuing.