A PRISONER kicked out in a police van because his handcuffs were so tight his hands were going black, a court was told.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Kevin Smith, 39, was in pain after his circulation had stopped but nobody took any notice. Smith, of Anglesey Avenue, Burnley, admitted criminal damage and was fined £50, with £50 compensation and £55 costs.

Philip Turner, defending, said police stopped a car Smith's friend was driving and the friend ran off. The defendant, in reflex action, also made a run for it for a short distance and was apprehended by the police.

He pointed out to officers he had not been the driver of the car and told them who had. Smith was handcuffed and put in the police van. The cuffs were put on very tightly and the defendant was left in the van for quite some time as the custody office was busy.

Mr Turner said the defendant's circulation had stopped, he was in pain and his hands were going black. He started kicking out in the van. Nobody took any notice and he carried on kicking until something was broken.