Watchdog appeals for Taser witnesses

Published on 25/10/2012 00:00

The police watchdog is seeking witnesses to the incident in which Colin Farmer, 62, a blind stroke victim, was shot with a Taser stun gun by a police officer who mistook his white stick for a samurai sword.

The incident happened in Chorley, Lancashire, on 12 October. with a martial arts weapon.

Now, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened at around 6.35pm on Friday October 12 in Peter Street, Chorley.

The IPCC said that following the Taser discharge Mr Farmer was handcuffed.

He was then released and taken to hospital after the attending police officers realised he was not the suspect they were looking for.

A spokesman said: “The IPCC is independently investigating the incident following a referral by Lancashire Constabulary.

“The IPCC is keen to speak with any witnesses who saw the incident and, in particular, a man and a woman who left the Parmesan and Pepper restaurant in Peter Street at the time of the incident.”

Earlier this week Mr Farmer instructed solicitors to launch a civil claim for compensation against Lancashire Police.

Mr Farmer, who has suffered two strokes and walks at a “snail’s pace”, was on his way to a pub to meet friends for a drink and did not realise anything was afoot until the officer Tasered him.