A senior Brighton and Hove policeman was late for work after becoming trapped in the toilet of his home.
Detective Inspector Bill Warner, of Brighton and Hove CID, was stuck for 90 minutes.
He managed to free himself by unscrewing the lock.
He said: "I shouted out for ages but no one answered. I had no phone or anything with me.
"In the end, I found the catch on my watch strap gave must just enough leverage to undo the screws. Otherwise I might still be there."
Mr Warner, who made headlines after catching a crime suspect while off duty, was greeted with jibes from colleagues when he finally arrived for work yesterday in John Street, Brighton.
Mr Warner said: "That's bog standard I suppose."
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