Detective claims £100,000 after chair fall

A detective constable who fell off a chair at work is suing for more than £100,000 compensation, it was reported today.

City of London officer James Mann, 40, injured his back and neck in the accident while on secondment at the National Crime Squad (NCS).

In a High Court writ he said he went to sit down at a group of tables outside a detective inspector's office in Chelmsford but suddenly ended up on the floor after pulling out a chair and sitting on it.

He realised the chair was defective because a bolt was missing, according to the writ.

The NCS is understood to have admitted blame but is disputing the size of the claim.

Mr Mann, who was involved in key operations run by the squad, claims to have undergone two operations on his spine, suffered pain and numbness, and needed physiotherapy.

In his writ, he warned he may be forced to take early retirement from the City of London force. "He has already lost the chance of promotion and is at a disadvantage on the open labour market," the writ said.

The incident in October 2001 emerges months after it was reported that Pc Lesley O'Shea was demanding £200,000 for slipping on a banana skin and falling down 10 steps at Kensington police station.