YOUNG inmates were physically restrained more than 1,000 times at a North-East secure training unit in the year leading up to the death of a teenage boy, an inquest was told yesterday.

A controversial nose distraction technique, which involves a short sharp burst to the base of the nose with two fingers, was used more than 160 times over the same period.

And in 39 instances in two years, youngsters were left with bleeding noses as a result.

National prison service training instructor John Collier said the high incidence of nose bleeds caused by the now-banned technique was almost unique to the Serco-run Hassockfield Secure Training Centre, near Medomsley, County Durham.

He was giving evidence at a hearing in Easington into the death of 14-year-old Adam Rickwood, who became the youngest person to die in custody when he was found hanged in his room in August 2004.

Adam was left with a bleeding nose hours earlier, after the now illegal distraction method was used on him while he was carried face down to his cell by four care officers.

Mr Collier taught Physical Constraints in Care (PCC) to instructors who would then go on to train care officers at secure training units.

He said it was made “crystal clear” to them that PCC could only be used to prevent inmates escaping or harming themselves or others, or from causing damage.

It was not permitted for maintaining good order and discipline, as care officers at Hassockfield have claimed they were told.

Mr Collier said he was shocked to learn that PCC was used routinely at Hassockfield for “non-compliance to orders”

– on 37 occasions in June 2003 alone – contrary to his training.

Adam had been restrained for refusing an order to go to his room, following a dispute with a female member of staff.

Mr Collier said the painful nose distraction technique should not have been used on Adam and he should not have been carried faced down.

He added, the nose distraction technique was only supposed to be used in exceptional circumstances, such as to separate inmates who were fighting or being violent toward officers.

The hearing continues.