THIRTY six years ago the sad story of the longest serving policeman in Dawlish forced to retire after being viciously beaten up by a gang of thugs, made headlines.

Barney Barnes was left 40 per cent disabled and unable to walk without crutches after the attack outside the local football club. The article read: Now he has moved out of the town and retired from the force at the age of 50.

He said: ‘I did feel very bitter about the attackers and Dawlish for quite a time. In fact I was almost unbalanced about Dawlish, but now I am much more detached.’

As a community policeman in the town for much of his time, he got to know many people by meeting them in the street and in their homes.

Then one night he was summoned to the football club to help deal with what one officer described as virtually a riot.

‘One of the worst aspects is that I seen many of the young people involved grow up from babies,’ he said.

‘I really do not understand their minds. A lot of the aggression is fuelled by drink, but, as with with drunken motorists, somebody usually gets hurt.

‘I don’t think prison is the really answer, but what else is there?’

Barney has moved to Kenton and has plans to study as an opera singer as his police career is in ruins.

His superb tenor voice was always in demand with the police choir and the South West Operatic Society, and he was told by experts he could have quite a future on the stage.

Now he is hoping to take a college course to enable him to teach music and singing. His retirement has shocked his colleagues. Sgt Roger Gardener, who was also involved in the fight, said Barney has received a severe beating.

‘It is a tragedy that an officer who has put so much energy into serving the people of Dawlish should be treated in such a way.’

Two youths who took part in the disturbances were sent to a detention cent