Assault charges against a worker at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in Tasmania's north have been dismissed, following an incident at the centre last year.
Crown prosecutors alleged Shaun David Bartlett, 44, from Mole Creek, used unnecessary force to restrain two youth detainees on July 15 last year.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault.
Outside the Launceston Magistrates Court, Mr Bartlett said he was pleased with the outcome.
"[I] look forward to putting this behind me and going back to work," he said.
"It's been a bit of a hectic situation, but I'm glad with the way it's turned out. I didn't think I had done anything wrong, put it that way."
The charges followed an incident the day after a disturbance at the centre described by a witness as "particularly nasty".
During the disturbance detainees smashed windows and threatened staff with shards of glass.
The Magistrates Court in Launceston heard from two other detainees at the centre earlier this week, who said Bartlett was "just doing his job" in isolating the detainees.
Several staff also told the court Mr Bartlett used reasonable force to take the detainees to their rooms, after they refused to go themselves.
Police prosecutor Yolanda Prenc argued CCTV footage showed "there clearly was an application of force" and that more staff should have been called to de-escalate the situation verbally, before the detainees were physically restrained.
In sentencing, Magistrate Sharon Cure said the amount of force Mr Bartlett used was appropriate.
"Ultimately I have decided the force used was reasonable in all the circumstances of the case," she said.
She acknowledged property had been damaged at the centre the night before, and there was the possibility of detainees using shards of glass as weapons.
"Both charges are dismissed," the magistrate said.
