Eight months ago John Cannon ran into woods to chase and arrest a dangerous driver who had left a pensioner with life-changing injuries.

The Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) says he was praised by his boss for his grit and the culprit was later jailed for three years.

But he now believes his willingness to get stuck in has left his career with Greater Manchester Police on hold for eight months.

He has been suspended since the day after the incident while the police watchdog investigates his actions.

And the family of the victim have called for him to be commended, not disciplined.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

John, 62, a PCSO for 11 years and by his own admission ‘an old fashioned officer’, should be on his beat in Moston but instead is sitting at home on half pay.

He was interviewed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in July, but says he is still in limbo.

The IPCC say their investigation ‘has been conducted thoroughly and in good time’ and they are ‘finalising the report’.

GMP say they cannot comment until the IPCC have finished their work.

John’s suspension stems from his claim that he did not use any emergency equipment while following the vehicle.

CCTV recovered by GMP the following day shows that the marked police vehicle had its flashing lights activated as it drove through a junction.

He is facing potential disciplinary action for alleged gross misconduct as his ‘honesty and integrity’ has been brought into question.

Christopher Raczkiewicz, 39, the driver who Mr Cannon arrested, with help from an off-duty military police officer, was jailed for three years in July.

He left 76-year-old Winnifred Upton with multiple injuries after he jumped two red lights at up to 50mph in his Toyota Hilux pick up truck, running her down as she walked her dog over a pedestrian crossing.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard the business contractor, who’d been drinking after a row with his wife about money, was seen staggering around a supermarket minutes before the crash.

Mrs Upton, from Middleton, survived the impact, but suffered fractures to her skull, ribs, pelvis, spine, shoulder, jaw, right eye socket and left leg.

She spent four months in hospital, and now walks with the aid of a zimmer frame.

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Raczkiewicz, from Blackley, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He will be banned from driving for three years following his release from prison.

PCSO John said: “I was driving down Victoria Avenue East at about 9.30pm when a male came running across the road. He said: ‘You need to go into Tesco, there is a chap dressed from head to foot in high visibility clothing and he is plastered.’

“I identified him and as he approached the back of my vehicle I gave him a stop hand signal. Upon seeing me he sped straight out onto Victoria Avenue East.”

A short time later on nearby Manchester Road, Raczkiewicz’s truck overturned and hit Mrs Upton.

John said: “I saw a plume of smoke coming up. I realised it was his vehicle. I put my blue lights on and went through a set of traffic lights to warn traffic behind me and coming forward. His vehicle was across two lanes.

“Just as I was getting to his vehicle, to my disbelief he ran across in front of me into woodland.

“I then pursued him on my own for about 150 yards into the woods. I managed to get hold of him, pinning him to the floor and putting his arm up his back. We don’t have handcuffs or anything else as a PCSO.”

Helped by an off-duty military police man he arrested him.

“As a PCSO I’m not supposed to pursue,” John said.

“I wasn’t pursuing, vehicle wise, but on foot there was no way that bloke was going to get away from me. When the traffic sergeant came up to me that night he said ‘that’s a great job'.

“I wrote in my notebook. ‘I activated my blue light to warn other drivers’.

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

“At the end of the day I’ve suffered for doing a good job.

“When I got suspended it was such a body punch. I have never done anything wrong in my work life.”

Before becoming a PSCO, John was personnel manager at Manchester’s Central Library.

“My (police) colleagues have all said they want me back. They are saying it’s farcical. My Chief Supt has been in touch with me a few times giving me support.

“Since I’ve been off, the anti-social behaviour in my policing area has gone through the roof. When I first started working in Moston ten years the attitude to me was ‘f*** off our estate.’ Now parents ask me to have a word with their kids to keep them out of trouble.

“It’s not so much the pay cut but health issues that I’m concerned about. I’m quite an active person and have a supportive family. But for some officers a situation like this could tip them over the edge. That’s why I am speaking out, I believe the IPCC should be investigated for taking so long.”

Mrs Upton’s husband, Kenneth, said: “I don’t think the PCSO should be disciplined. At the end of the day he was doing his job to the best of his ability. I feel sorry for him - he should be commended not investigated. I have told the police I am disgusted at the way he is being treated.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“He should not have had his wages cut. How much has it cost to keep him at home and investigate him? The money could have been better spent on policing.

“My wife only came out of hospital in September. She cannot get about without walking sticks. For five weeks after she was run over she was in a coma. Her heart stopped twice after she was hit, once in the back of the ambulance.”

An IPCC Spokesperson said: “The IPCC is in the process of concluding its investigation and finalising our investigation report. The incident, which took place in March this year resulted in a female pedestrian suffering very serious injuries.

“For the benefit of everyone involved, this investigation has been conducted thoroughly and in good time. The IPCC investigator found evidence which may amount to gross misconduct by a PCSO regarding their actions and they were informed of this, and have since been regularly updated on its progress, as have all those involved. The IPCC will consider publication of the findings from this investigation in due course.”

In a statement GMP said: “A referral was made to GMP’s Professional Standards Branch and in line with the referral criteria, a mandatory referral is being made to the IPCC. It would be inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.”