THE police officer who tasered an innocent blind man in Chorley will not face charges.

Colin Farmer, 63, was walking on Peter Street in Chorley in October last year when a police officer discharged a 50,000 volt taser gun at him.

Police had been acting on reports of a man carrying samuri sword in the area, and mistook Mr Farmer’s white stick for the weapon.

An investigation was launched by the Independent Police Complaints Commission following the incident, and following the probe the Crown Prosecution Service has decided not to charge the officer.

Malcolm McHaffie, deputy head of CPS Special Crime Division, said: "On the basis of the evidence provided, including CCTV footage and police log record, I have determined that no charges should be brought against the police officer concerned.

“The circumstances are unusual because the officer was acting on the basis of erroneous reports from members of the public that the victim was carrying a samurai sword.

"Having considered all the evidence in this case, I do not consider there is sufficient evidence to prove to the criminal standard that the suspect did not believe that the man he saw, in a busy town centre with people nearby, was carrying a sword.”

Mr Farmer said: “It’s good really. I’m actually glad that the police can get on with their jobs.

“I know that the police do a difficult job. This is a great opportunity for lessons to be learned, and hopefully it will show other officers that they have a responsility as policemen.

“I don’t have a problem with the police, just with the actions of this one man.

“I just want to get on with my life now. It’s already ruined my life, and I didn’t want it to go on for years.”