A FORMER Special Constable claimed he suffered a "hellish ordeal" at the hands of a drug crazed thug who threatened him with a blazing blow lamp. Disabled Bernard McCartin says he will brave repercussions in a bid to publicise the terrifying experience and highlight the "serious drugs problem that is rife on the Brazley estate at Horwich". He claims police did not take the incident seriously and he is to lodge an official complaint to Greater Manchester Police.

Mr McCartin said his nightmare started as he made a telephone call from a public box 25 yards from his home at 9pm on Wednesday night.

A man brandishing a flaming blow lamp threatened to "torch" him unless he left the telephone box, he claims.

Mr McCartin said:" I really thought that this was it. I knew that this man meant what he said.

"I went through hell that night. I'm a disabled man and couldn't run anywhere. I was trapped."

Mr McCartin, who was a chauffeur until he gave up work due to osteo-arthritis three years ago, praised police control room staff who counselled him on the telephone after he was threatened.

Mr McCartin said: "I immediately hung up the telephone on my son and dialled 999.

"The control room woman was very concerned and talked to me for at least 10 minutes. She was wonderful. However, when police did turn up they didn't seem very interested."

Mr McCartin says a man jumped out of a red car and ran to the boot pulling out a blow torch.

"He lit it and said to his friend in the car 'I'm going to set him on fire and started waving it at me," Mr McCartin explained.

"I've seen some things in my time as a Special Constable but this beats them all."

Mr McCartin claims the Horwich council estate has a serious drugs problem which is being ignored.

"I'm constantly seeing cars pull up and drug deals being done. It is a big problem and something needs to be done about it.

"I am willing to take the risk of repercussions to speak up against the drug dealers."

Insp Peter Holden from Horwich police confirmed that an incident had taken place on the estate on Wednesday night.

A spokesman from Greater Manchester Police said: "We have not yet received an official complaint from Mr McCartin. If he wants to do so then the matter will be investigated."

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