Ex-officer wins seven-year fight for police compensation

George Smillie, 51, was described as "super-fit" at the time he went on the course at the Scottish Police College, based in Tulliallan, Stirlingshire, in 1981.

The keen sportsman was playing football and taking part in physical training when he started to suffer a severe pain in his left knee.

The former constable claimed he suffered the injury in the line of duty, and that it later forced him into early retirement as his health worsened over the years as a result.

Upon his eventual retirement in 2001, a doctor ruled that the injury was not work-related, but Mr Smillie sued the force to get a full ill-health pension.

After a lengthy legal battle, a board of medical referees appointed by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency last August ruled that his lumbar back pain was produced by an injury received as part of his police duties.

The decision was challenged by Lothian and Borders Police, but Lord Matthews has now ruled that the medical referees were correct.

A lump sum of up to 10,000 is likely to be paid out to Mr Smillie, as well as up to 10,000 a year extra to his existing pension, backdated to the date of his retirement.

However, police chiefs still have three weeks to appeal the decision again.

Mr Smillie argued that the football and training he took part in were "not optional" and therefore qualified as police duties.

Medical records showed that he had no problems with his back at the end of 1981.

His solicitor Ian Smith-Watson said today: "It was a very thorough opinion by Lord Matthews and Mr Smillie is delighted with the result. He has received what he was fairly entitled to under the law."

Mr Smillie was diagnosed with "high jumper's knee" after complaining of pain at the college. This occurs when the fibres of the tendon leading from the kneecap to the shin are damaged.

A police spokeswoman said the force did not want to comment.