IT was supposed to be a quiet day for marketing manager Stephen Ferrari.

He had a brunch meeting at Colchester Town Hall where he expected to be networking with clients.

Instead he found himself being “arrested” by police on a charge of causing public unrest due to impersonation of an octopus after appearing in Nayland’s pantomime.

It was all part of a charity event set up to raise money for Brain Tumour UK.

Nine people were “arrested” and had to raise at least £250 each to be bailed.

Mr Ferrari, of Red Pepper Marketing, of Earls Colne, was the only one who did not know the event was being staged.

HANDCUFFS He said: “I had no idea this was going to happen. I was sitting in a meeting when the sirens started and suddenly the police rushed in and arrested me.”

Colchester police supported the event, slapping on the handcuffs and even taking along a riot van to add to the authenticity.

Mr Ferrari’s fellow partners in crime included Philip Hoddell, of Colchester solicitors Birkett Long, snooker player Stuart Bingham, Colchester businessman Karl Fincham, Jack Howell and Matt Brogan from TES 2000 based in Grange Way, Colchester, brothers Sam and Arthur Tolmie from Xtreme Gaming in Colchester High Street and Sharon Beeson, of Sycamore Road, Colchester.

Solicitor Mr Hoddell said: “We had to put signs up in our reception to let people know what was happening in case they thought I was really being arrested.

“A few of my colleagues offered to give me legal advice as well.”

Snooker player Stuart Bingham “handed himself in” to the town hall and was charged with turning his girlfriend into a snooker widow.

Businessman Karl Fincham explained he was arrested for being a workaholic and ignoring advice given to him.

Trudy Thomas, community fundraiser for Brain Tumour UK, said the event had raised about £3,000.

This money will go towards supporting patients and their families, setting up a helpline and funding research into the treatment of brain tumours.

Donations can be made through justgiving.com/brain tumouruk or by cheque made payable to Brain Tumour UK sent to Jailed then Bailed, Brain Tumour UK, PO Box 27108, Edinburgh EH10 7WS.