A MAN who said he was assaulted by police in a cell after being arrested at his mother's wake has lost his claim for damages.

James Pennock, 54, was arrested outside the Colliery Hotel in South Shields, South Tyneside, in March, 1999, after a family dispute resulted in a pub window being smashed.

Newcastle County Court heard how Pennock feared he would be blamed for the broken window and was abusive and aggressive towards police.

He refused police requests to head home, and tried to punch one of the officers at South Shields police station.

But Pennock took an action against Northumbria Police yesterday, claiming officers attacked him, leaving his chest bruised, his jacket torn and his cigarette lighter broken.

Pennock, of Sutton Way, South Shields, denied being drunk, but admitted he had been abusive towards the officers.

Judge David Wood found Pennock had been drunk at the time. There were inconsistencies in his account and his witnesses were unreliable.

Judge Wood said the police had no alternative but to forcibly search him and remove his property.

Pennock was refused leave to take his case to appeal.