THE partner of a man who died in police custody in Spain has called for police abroad to be trained in basic CPR and for custody areas to be made safer.

An inquest into the death of Antony Abbott, from Halliwell, found that he died as a result of misadventure with a medical cause of hanging.

He died in a custody cell at Benidorm police station on October 23, 2015 after being arrested following an argument with his partner, Catherine Abbott.

The 36-year-old father-of-two was put in a cell and left alone for 18 minutes before later being found dead.

The jury at the inquest found that recommendations from a report made just a few months before Mr Abbott’s death had not been implemented.

The report had recommended extra CCTV coverage and removal of the bars on doors of the cells.

The jury also found that neglect contributed to the death and the failure to implement the recommendations was a significant factor in the death.

In a statement following the inquest, Mrs Abbott said: “I know that Tony did not mean to take his own life and I’m relieved the jury recognise that. It is clear that the police did not do things as they should. You should expect to be safe when you are with the police and sadly this was not the case for Tony.

“Police should be trained in basic CPR and the space where people are held must be safe.

“I’m very grateful to the coroner and Greater Manchester Police for carrying out such a thorough investigation and seeking answers about what happened. I’d also like to thank my legal team who have been a great support throughout this difficult process.” The jury had found that there was evidence to support that Mr Abbott was planning for life in the future.

The law firm representing the family, have welcomed the coroner’s plans to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to try and protect people detained abroad.

Halliwell dad-of-two Antony Abbott found dead in police custody in Benidorm after being arrested at his hotel

Anna Moore, solicitor with law firm Leigh Day’s human rights team, said: “In concluding that Tony’s death was contributed to by neglect, the jury has recognised serious failings on behalf of the Spanish police to adequately keep him safe whilst he was in their care. I welcome the fact that the coroner will report to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to seek to protect other, often vulnerable, people detained by police whilst abroad.”

I hope that this means a similar tragedy does not happen to another family.”

The family were also represented by Keina Yoshida, barrister at the law firm Doughty Street.