TWO mentally ill defendants were interviewed by police without a solicitor or an appropriate adult present, it emerged at Warrington Crown Court.

Patients with mental health problems are not supposed to be interviewed without an independent adult who can ensure they are treated fairly, if the police have any suspicion about their mental health.

Cheshire Police has said it followed correct procedures in both cases.

One man, from Widnes, had a personality disorder and was on day release from a mental health unit when he allegedly threatened to kill his wife with a knife, stubbed a cigarette on her face and tried to stop her escaping through a window.

The other man, Philip Hilton, aged 29, from James Lee House in Brick Street, had obsessive compulsive disorder and was found not guilty of rape last week.

He told his trial he wasn't thinking straight' during his interview and said I wasn't in control of what I was saying'.

Cheshire Police said both men were assessed by medical professionals. The force said one of the defendants was assessed four times and the health professional found no cause for concern.

The police also said the two men had not told them about any mental health problems.

A police spokesman said: "Appropriate adults are only used for adults when there are indications or they question their own ability to make decisions. This was not the case with these detainees."

Chief Inspector Phil Wellings also said: "In both cases mentioned, the individuals were given the opportunity of having a solicitor present in their interviews and in both cases they repeatedly declined."