Jail for leaving the hosepipe on

David Hewitt was arrested and thrown in the cells - for accidentally leaving his garden hose running.

The floor fitter's home was sealed off to be investigated. And wife Wendy was told she could not let the family's dog out because the garden was a "crime scene".

After being bailed on suspicion of causing water damage to a next-door commercial garage, David, 42, said: "I can't believe the police threw so many resources at such a petty incident. This was a simple accident. For them to be sealing off my garden and arresting me is pathetic. It's a ridiculous way to carry on."

Water ran into the yard of the garage. At about 9.15am, its owner called police for help to switch the hose off. Officers finally arrived at 12.30pm.

David raged: "This man could have turned it off himself.

"Three police came to our house in two vehicles. Then a scene-of-crime van arrived and an officer went into the garden to take photos.

"Wendy tried to let the dog out but was told it would be entering a 'crime scene'. She thought they were joking."