ONE of Taunton's top policemen has told how he grappled with a knife-wielding robber in The Castle Hotel.

Insp Mike Ashwin said he had never been so frightened in his 20-year police career. He had been called to the hotel by a guest who raised the alarm after two raiders burst in at 4am on May 15.

When he arrived, Insp Ashwin found they had gagged and tied up the elderly night porter, who was curled up with his face bloatedand red. The officer was confronted by Sebastiao Fernandes, who had a knife, so he pressed his emergency button, sprayed the attacker with CS gas and punched him to the ground.

Insp Ashwin, who grabbed Fernandes and held him until reinforcements arrived, was later treated in hospital for shock and bruises.After the case, Insp Ashwin said: "I was on my own but managed to call for assistance before I was confronted by both men and saw that Fernandes had a knife, which escalated the situation."

Portuguese nationals Fernandes, aged 37, and his accomplice, Victor Tavares, 27, both of Swindon, were this week jailed for five years each.