Taser 'accidentally discharged' into man's groin

A Bridgewater man is threatening to sue police after they accidentally zapped him with a 50,000-volt taser stun gun. Peter Cox, 49, from Duke Street, was approached by officers on suspicion of driving without insurance outside his partner's house in Saltlands last Tuesday.

But after stepping out of his BMW, Mr Cox was struck by the taser, which shot two electric probes into his groin and ankle. Police, who later confirmed Mr Cox did have insurance, said an officer had withdrawn the taser because Mr Cox “appeared to become aggressive”, but added that the weapon accidentally discharged as it was being lowered.



However, Mr Cox said: “I was not aggressive - I've had a bit of trouble with the police in the past but I've kept my nose clean since. Police should not be armed with tasers if they cannot use them properly.”



Mr Cox said he had arrived at his girlfriend's with a bag of stones to work on her garden. He said that when he got out of his car, he asked the officers what they wanted, before carrying the bag to his partner's gate, at which point he says he was hit.

“The shock was really painful and sent me sprawling to the floor - I cut my elbow and grazed my leg,” he added. Mr Cox, who has only recently had a knee cap replacement, had to wait for paramedics to free him from the taser's probes. He also said police had apologised at the scene, but he has now taken up the matter with his solicitor. Police said the incident was being investigated.