A MAN who told police officers he would throw himself under a lorry went through with the threat less than two hours after leaving their custody, an inquest heard yesterday.

Depressed Michael Spencer of Grantham Close, Freshbrook, made the suicidal comment at Gablecross Police Station following his arrest for assaulting wife Wendy, Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard.

The 39-year-old had accused his wife of having an affair when he saw a text message from another man on her mobile phone, said Oxfordshire Coroner Nicholas Gardiner.

He punched her a number of times to the face, giving her a broken nose.

The inquest heard how Spencer, who overdosed on painkillers and also self-harmed in the months leading up to his death, rang 999 to report the incident after 2am on July 16, 2006.

After the arrest from his home in West Swindon custody sergeant Ian Dudley of Swindon Police said he didn’t consider Spencer a threat to himself while in his cell.

Giving evidence, Mr Dudley said: “I didn’t have any immediate concerns for his welfare while he was with us.

“He said he wanted to throw himself under a lorry, but he said his wife told him that would be unfair on the lorry driver. That led me to believe it was something he had said before.”

The cell Spencer was in was one of four covered by CCTV, which was decided upon as a precaution by Mr Dudley, he told the inquest.

Spencer’s custody papers were also in a red folder indicating that he was a vulnerable person.

Overnight police had made more than 20 arrests on a “busy night” filling many of the 40 cells at Gablecross, he added.

Sgt Caroline Hook, then a PC, and PC Leigh Mayhew, who made the arrest, said Spencer was “remorseful” over the attack. He was charged with common assault and released on bail at 2pm. By 3.45pm he was run over and killed on the A420 near Shrivenham – just three miles from Gablecross.

Spencer’s brother-in-law Michael Titcombe phoned the police station after the arrest.

“I wanted to tell them of his state of mind,” said Mr Titcombe. “He was a very depressed man and this was out of character.

“I think he must have been horrified when he realised what he had done to his wife.

“That could have been what pushed him over the edge. I don’t think he would have been able to forgive himself for doing that.”

Mr Titcombe said he was also concerned as to whether Spencer had taken antidepressants. He added: “He was a very caring man, sincere and loyal.

“I liked him very much. He wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

The inquest continues.