A police officer is facing an investigation for tasering a 61-year-old blind stroke victim after he mistook his stick for a samurai sword.
Colin Farmer was on his way to meet friends for a drink in his hometown of Chorley, Lancashire, when he was shot in the back with the 50,000 stun gun.
Farmer is blind as a result of two strokes, one in 2008 and one this year. He can only walk very slowly and has difficulty performing simple tasks with the left side of his body.
“I heard this man shouting. I thought they were shouting at some people," he said.
“I thought I was going to be attacked by some hooligans. The next thing they fire a taser at me, though I didn’t know it was a taser at the time.
“I just felt this thump in my back. As soon as the taser hit me I hit the ground.
“I hit my head on the floor, then this policeman came around. I said ‘I’m blind, I’m blind. I’m blind’."
Farmer has lodged an official complaint and is pursuing legal action against Lancashire Police.
Chief Supt Stuart Williams, of Chorley Police said: "Lancashire Constabulary deeply regrets what has happened. We have clearly put this man through a traumatic experience and we are extremely sorry for that.
"We have launched an urgent investigation to understand what lessons can be learned and the matter has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission."
