A JURY has returned a verdict of accidental death on a young dad who was found hanged in a police cell by a cord from his hooded sweatshirt.

Paul Barry Buchanan, 21, of St Paul's Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, was found dead at Clitheroe police station last October after he was arrested on suspicion of stealing a bottle of Bacardi from the town's Tesco store.

The inquest at Clitheroe heard he had been depressed since 1993, following the death of his best friend in a horrific sawmill accident.

His mother, Patricia Buchanan, broke down in tears as she described her son's deteriorating mental state.

"He was a good worker, but he was very young and had a young child," she said.

"It was tough for him. Losing his friend was horrific. He often went to the cemetery.

"He was a gentle, loving and caring person, but I was getting concerned about his depression and feared he might do something silly."

Paul was found, hanging from the push button of a toilet, by his solicitor Simon Gretton and police Sgt Jean Sanderson. The fixture had come loose and the cord was tied around a screw holding it to the cell wall.

Police had failed to notice the cord when he arrived at the police station but said they had no reason to believe he was "anything other than normal."

Police officers and paramedics tried in vain to resuscitate Mr Buchanan.

Home Office pathologist John Rutherford gave the cause of death as hanging. Coroner Andre Rebello said it was clear Mr Buchanan had been a "special person."

He said: "He was well-loved and loved well. That should be his memorial."

He had told the jury they could return a verdict of accidental death if they believed Paul's actions had been a cry for help and he hand not meant to take his own life.

Family solicitor John Houldsworth said after the inquest that it was too early to say whether legal action would be taken as a result of Paul's death.

"But we are very pleased and relieved at the verdict," he said.

"Mr and Mrs Buchanan will now know for the rest of their lives that their son didn't intend to take his life."

Chief Inspector Eddie Walsh, of Lancashire Constabulary, said push button toilet fixtures in police cells had been modified following the incident.

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