A BUSINESSMAN is fighting to rebuild his reputation after police raided his packed restaurant at the weekend.

Titu Ahad, the owner of Indian restaurant Saathi, in Hexham, described Saturday as the “worst night of my life” after police officers descended on his restaurant and arrested him on suspicion of making or having an explosive in suspicious circumstances.

Northumbria Police confirmed he was later released with no further action.

The force said it was working with Bedfordshire Police on an investigation into a suspicious device found in a vehicle in Luton.

Mr Ahad said he had no connection to Luton, but he had been told the car was linked to his address.

“I spent 24 hours in police custody,” he explained. “I was in solitary confinement and all I was thinking about was my wife and children and my customers – what would they think? – and my staff. I wasn’t worried about me because I knew I had done nothing wrong and they would find nothing.

“Now I am left rebuilding my career and my business and everything I have worked for my whole life – my reputation and the trust of the general public – for something I know nothing about.

“People were watching me, it was the ultimate humiliation. The restaurant was full and this has caused the most damage at the worst possible time.”

Mr Ahad said police had raided his home and his other restaurant, Indus Valley in Hexham, as well as Saathi, at around 8pm.

Mr Ahad said he had been told police found gas canisters at his address, but he explained that that was because he regularly did cooking demonstrations at charity events and Northumberland County Show.

“Twenty years I have spent building my reputation and making this building a nice place for Hexham,” he said. “This community is what put me where I am and that’s the whole reason I give back to them where I can by doing events free of charge and sharing my passion.

“If I was a known offender or my profile showed anything of that nature I would understand more – that would have made me a higher risk – but I am a family man, a businessman, who was running my restaurant on a busy Saturday night.”

Although Mr Ahad said he was concerned about the impact on his business, he said he’d received an overwhelming surge of support on Facebook.

He said: “I feel absolutely privileged that I know so many lovely people. The support has been incredible and that is what has kept me going. There is always a percentage of people who are sceptical and I say to them if you have concerns come and speak to me. My door is always open.”