A shameful way to treat heroes

The sad suicide of PC David Rathband highlights once again the poor way in which we treat those who are injured while protecting us from terrorists, criminals and just waste of space losers like Raoul Moat.

Moat shot PC Rathband as the policeman sat in his patrol car. PC Rathband survived the murder attempt but lost his sight.

He found it increasingly difficult to cope and his wife leaving him added to his strain and torment. Finally, this week PC Rathband hanged himself.

His death is reminiscent of that of PC Philip Olds. The 29-year-old-traffic policeman had challenged Stuart Blackstock and an accomplice after a failed off licence raid in Hayes, Middlesex, in December 1980. Blackstock shot PC Olds shattering his spine, leaving him paralysed. Blackstock, a Hell's Angel who had a long criminal record, was cleared of attempted murder but jailed for life for wounding with intent to resist arrest

PC Olds was unable to come to terms with his disability and killed himself with a drugs overdose in 1986. Unbelievably, Blackstock was given £7,000 compensation after his prison status review was delayed. The European Court (who else?) found the 22-month wait for a decision on his prisoner category caused "anxiety" to Blackstock.

It is a similar story when it comes to soldiers coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq with limbs missing. They are poorly treated when they should get the best of care.

The treatment of injured public servants is a national disgrace.