Sprayed PC left in pain
A police officer was left writhing in pain after being attacked by a gang who had conned their way into a pensioner's house.
Cannock-based Pc Malcolm Beeston was sprayed in the face with an unknown chemical after he chased the three men in the Longford area of the town on Monday.
The three men had called at a house in the area claiming to be from the water board and conned their way inside the home of Bill Cooper, 65 and his father, also called Bill, where they stole property including cash from a wallet.
Neighbour Jayne Dodd called the police after watching the men go into Mr Cooper's home. She told the Express & Star: "Things just didn't feel right about it."
About 10 minutes later Pc Beeston arrived and knocked on Mr Cooper's front door. The three men then tried to make their escape over the back fence but were chased by the officer.
As he followed, one of them is thought to have turned and attacked him with the spray.
The officer was taken to Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary by ambulance and was released last night without serious injury.
Anyone with information should contact DS Chris Buxton on 08453 30 20 10.
