Prisoners locked up at in Police cells because of the Westgate crisis have suffered conditions like "Japanese prisoners of war", according to defence lawyer Peter Farge.

He said there was nowhere to wash at Hamilton Police Station, the cells were cramped and prisoners were being fed KFC meals morning, noon and night.

A client of his was sent to hospital after he began vomiting and had been grateful of the opportunity to wash, he said.

He said: "It's uncomfortable, terribly cramped. They don't get out of their cells during the day. Westgate is like heaven compared to Hamilton Police Station."

The police cells at St. George's were even worse, said Mr. Farge. "It's hot and dark and there are cockroaches."

He said some prisoners had been held at Hamilton police station for over a week and he said they should have been transferred to Warwick Camp where the conditions are better.

"Hamilton is terrible if you are there for any length of time. They don't have washing facilities. They can't even brush their teeth. Some people there haven't washed for a week.

"It's like a Japanese prisoner of war camp."

Inmates miss court:Page 3