Chastity underwear inventor cracks up

The inventor of 'chastity underpants' is out of danger and recovering from a suicide attempt, which he claims was sparked by his girlfriend of five years leaving him and the realisation that no one was taking his underwear seriously.

Although Zhao Xin's revamped chastity belt sparked media interest when he launched his 'Insurance Underwear' last year, he was surprised that people considered his invention too feudal for their tastes.

And although many firms told Mr Zhao they would be interested in his product, most just used him as the butt of their jokes.

The last straw came when the 'Guangzhou Protect Uniform Commission' asked Mr Zhao to present his invention, only to learn the invitation was a hoax, the Beijing Morning Post reported.

'Ever since I invented Chastity Underwear I haven't had a quiet day, nor have I had a regular night's sleep,' he said from his hospital bed.

'Feudal society chastity belts were given only to women to wear, and they were forced on them. But my invention is worn voluntarily and is for men and women alike,' Mr Zhao said in a Legal Daily report, defending his invention.

Mr Zhao said those who wore his garment could still wash and use the bathroom normally, but would be unable to have sex until the combination lock was opened by their lover.

A police officer from Liaoning province, Mr Zhao said his work led him to realise the device could not only prevent couples from being unfaithful to one another but might prevent women from being raped and underage girls from having sex and could stem the tide of Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases.