POLICE have referred a “suicide top” back to the manufacturers after a prisoner managed to rip it.

But they also charged the prisoner with criminal damage for his actions.

Julian Slaney, 36, of Wesley Street, Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possessing cannabis.

He was ordered to do 40 hours unpaid work and pay £80 compensation for the top, £85 costs and £60 charges. victim surcharge.

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Tracey Yates, prosecuting, said Slaney was arrested after police were called to a disturbance at a pub involving him and his partner. At the police station he was strip searched and he was put in a cell in a suicide top.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said when police arrived at the pub Slaney just wanted to leave but he was thrown to the ground.

“He was arrested and he was upset,” said Mr Taylor. “The police - as a result of him damaging the top the police have sent the top back to the manufacturers. It should not be able to be ripped. The whole idea is that people can’t hang themselves with it.”