AN innocent Port Glasgow pensioner was Tasered by police as five officers tried to arrest another person, can reveal.
According to a report in the Greenock Telegraph, the 73-year-old woman had to be taken to hospital immediately after being incapacitated by the use of the device and a probe is under way into the matter.
Police went to the OAP's home in the town after receiving a report that a 43-year-old female relative had placed her in a state of fear and alarm.
Accused Angela Blaney is said to have shouted, swore, uttered threats and demanded money whilst in possession of a knife.
Her solicitor, Derek Buchanan, told a first calling of the case at the sheriff court: "Miss Blaney's 73-year-old relative was, according to the summary of the evidence in this case, Tasered by the police.
"It is stated that she ended up in hospital as a result."
A Taser — which has a range of up to 15 feet — is a conducted energy device used to incapacitate people by the firing of two small darts which are intended to puncture the skin and remain attached.
The darts deliver a modulated electric current designed to disrupt voluntary control of muscles, causing 'neuromuscular incapacitation'.
Blaney is said to have gone to her family member's home on February 28.
She is also charged with struggling violently with all five police officers and with headbutting one of them.
Blaney further accused of acting in a racially aggravated manner which caused or was intended to cause alarm or distress to the officer by allegedly deriding her accent and attempting to ridicule her.
Police Scotland have confirmed that an officer had Tasered the pensioner.
A force spokesperson said: "Around 9.35am on Tuesday 28 February, officers were called to a report of a disturbance within a house in Berwick Road, Port Glasgow.
"Officers attended and due to concern regarding a weapon, a Taser was deployed during this incident.
"As with any Taser deployment, the circumstances of the incident were referred to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner."
The police spokesperson added: "A 73-year-old woman was taken by ambulance to Inverclyde Royal Hospital to be checked over, then later released.
"A 43-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with a number of alleged offences."
Blaney has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against her through solicitor Buchanan.
The case is due to call again on May 2, ahead of a trial scheduled for May 18.
