THE trial of five police officers accused of the manslaughter of the brother of an East Lancashire woman is due to resume next week following legal argument.

Christopher Alder, whose sister Janet lives in Manchester Road, Burnley, was taken into police custody on April 1, 1998, following a fracas which left him dazed, confused and aggressive.

Five Humberside Police officers -- Constables Nigel Thomas Dawson, 39, Neil Blakey, 42, Mark Ellerington, 36, and Matthew Barr, 38, and custody Sergeant John Dunn, 40 -- deny the manslaughter of Mr Alder.

They all also deny a charge of misconduct in a public office.

The trial has been delayed for a week while the judge dealt with other matters and the jury have been allowed home until Monday.

Earlier Teeside Crown Court heard medics were unable to treat Mr Alder, who had been taken to hospital following a fight in Hull city centre, because he was aggressive and unco-operative.

Staff said they had feared for their own safety after Mr Alder started spitting blood and throwing hospital equipment across the room.

He was later arrested for a breach of the peace but fell unconscious and died in a police cell -- allegedly watched by the five police officers.

Mr James Curtis QC, prosecuting said that after he was arrested the officers owed Mr Alder a duty of care to "protect his health and his welfare".

He added: "That duty varied from defendant to defendant, according to the role and function of each police officer undertaking each task.

"Each officer was in breach of that duty."

(Proceeding)