A former police officer whose specialised work led to him twice being shot - at one stage being left paralysed and even having to relearn how to walk and talk - has been amazed at receiving official correspondence from the PSNI that said he wasn't even 'in the police'.

Ex-inspector Jim Craig was shot in the head in the late 1970s by the IRA and suffered other injuries during more than 30 years in the RUC

Yet the Troubles victim has been left outraged after lawyers acting for Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde denied that he ever served in the force.

Mr Craig is among a number of former officers taking court action over alleged hearing damage from past weapons training exercises.

The 58-year-old was shocked and angered when a legal document was served on him by a Crown lawyer denying that he was in the police "at any time material to this action".

The defendant in the proceedings - Sir Hugh Orde - even denies that Mr Craig "served as aforesaid".

"It has just floored me," said Mr Craig. "I would have no problem if they had turned round and denied responsibility for any hearing loss. That's for me to prove.

"This is totally and utterly pathetic."

"I was shot twice in the head during a gun attack in Belfast," he said.

"I was left paralysed for a time and had to learn to walk and talk again.

"To the best of my knowledge, the IRA claimed responsibility for the shooting.

"Are the PSNI now saying that it never happened? I received other injuries on duty and also had to move house in the early 1970s after being shot at."

Mr Craig also said that he received medals for long service and good conduct.

"Are my medals going to have to go back now, as they don't accept I ever served? And what about my pension? Why is that being paid?" he said.

The PSNI has declined to make any comment on the legal document served on Mr Craig but it is understood the wording is being attributed to 'courtroom' terminology - though its impact remains an 'insult' to the ex-officer.

(BMcC)