A JURY has cleared a man accused of attacking two police officers in the cells at Accrington police station.

Jason Erskine, 28, of Regent Street, Haslingden, was found not guilty of attempted grievous bodily harm and unlawful wounding, after a three-day trial at Burnley Crown Court. He had denied the allegations.

Erskine was said to have poked detective constable Andrew Eddleston in the eyes and punched PC Mark Winstanley in the face after he was arrested at McDonald's in Accrington. PC Winstanley was said to have been knocked unconscious and needed 13 stitches after the alleged assault, last December.

The jury heard Erskine was said to have been aggressive and claiming: "We will see who runs this town," before he was sent to the cells to calm down by the custody sergeant.

Erskine claimed he had been assaulted by the two officers.

He said detective constable Eddleston had got him in a head-lock and his finger had gone into the officer's eye.

He claimed he pushed PC Winstanley in self-defence.

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