A CARE officer who struck a 14-year-old detainee painfully on the nose hours before the teenager killed himself later told police he used the controversial restraint technique "on instinct", an inquest heard today.

Adam Rickwood, the youngest person to die in custody in modern times, was found hanging in his room at Hassockfield Secure Training Centre, County Durham, in August 2004, where he had been left bleeding face down on the floor by four members of staff.

They had used physical control in care (PCC) - lifting the eight stone boy by the arms, legs and holding his head - then care officer Steve Hodgson applied pressure on his nose as he thrashed about, after Adam, from Burnley, refused to comply with an order to go to his room following a dispute with a female member of staff.

Mr Hodgson, giving evidence at the inquest in Easington, County Durham, said he was arrested in 2005 on suspicion of assaulting Adam, but was not charged with any offence.

The High Court has since ruled that the so-called nose distraction technique (NDT) is unlawful at any time. PCC should only have been used if a trainee was threatening violence, damaging property or trying to escape, the jury has heard.

Officers at the time believed they were allowed to use PCC to ensure good order and discipline, despite the training centre rules expressly saying it could only be used in emergencies.

During the police interview, Mr Hodgson said: "I obviously went with my instinct. I obviously thought it was the right thing to do at the time."

He denied suggestions by police that he reacted to the teenager affronting his authority, saying that was not how he worked.

Rajiv Menon, for the boy's family, said: "On the other hand, you are admitting you went on instinct, as opposed to the rules."

Mr Hodgson replied: "Instinct, by my training."

The inquest, expected to last three weeks, continues.

Full story in tomorrow's The Northern Echo