A GRANDMOTHER-OF-TWO received a ‘substantial pay-out’ from police after she was strip searched and dumped naked in a cell in Middlewich Custody Suite.

Catering assistant Kay Earles was arrested for allegedly being drunk and disorderly on a night out in Macclesfield, but when the officers got her back to the station in Pochin Way, Middlewich, Kay claims that officers threw her to the floor and ripped her clothes off.

The episode came about after a custody sergeant threatened Kay with a 'strip search' when she tensed as a female police civilian roughly patted her down and the unseemly incident was all captured on CCTV.

Kay, 44, of Macclesfield, said: “I have never been in trouble with the police before for anything like this and it was scandalous what they did.

“My arm was up behind my back and the custody officer said if you don't behave we will strip your clothes off.

“Two women then took me into the cell and started ripping my clothes off. I was just dumped naked on the floor.

“There were men around and it was all captured on camera. It was so humiliating.

“They eventually gave me a sheet and a tee shirt and I really couldn't believe it was happening.

“People shouldn't be treated like this. It's appalling to think you go out for the evening and yet you can end up having your clothes ripped off by women in police uniform.

“If I did it to somebody I would be charged. None of them were charged. Cheshire police sent me a letter saying the officers involved would get further training.

“I have still got the mental scars. They never logged the strip search stuff and they described the attack on me as 'soft physical force.'

“When they released me the next morning from Middlewich police station I had to get two buses home to Macclesfield.

Emma Grantham, Kay's solicitor, of Russell and Co in Malvern, who specialise in cases against the police, said that Kay was subjected to an ‘unjustified strip search.’ Emma said: “Kay was subjected to an unjustified strip search and was left naked in a cell for a period of time, she was completely humiliated.

“The CCTV footage from the custody suite records the sergeant threatening Kay with a strip search if she did not comply.

“Obviously it goes without saying that a custody sergeant cannot use a strip search as a threat to persuade somebody to do something.”

Cheshire Police admitted wrong-doing and agreed an undisclosed compensation settlement with Ka.

Chief Inspector Julie Westgate, of Cheshire police, said: "The Constabulary's Professional Standards department investigated the complaint in relation to being placed in safety clothing. The findings were that her complaint should be upheld.

"We are fully committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of those individuals who are detained in our custody. When this falls below the standards expected we review the circumstances to ensure that all procedures were followed and if there are shortcomings take the appropriate action.

''In this case the officers involved were given management action and their performance was reviewed to make sure the health and welfare of detainees are safeguarded."