A FIREARMS training officer who shot a colleague in the stomach will not face any police disciplinary action.

Pc David Micklethwaite was running a firearms awareness course in Kidlington in May 2007 when he loaded live ammunition, he wrongly believed was inert, into a Magnum revolver and fired it at call centre worker Keith Tilbury, leaving him fighting for his life.

He was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £8,000 costs by Southwark Crown Court last month after admitting breaching health and safety regulations.

Thames Valley Police and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) postponed its disciplinary hearing until after the court case.

But Micklethwaite retired from the force on Sunday, leaving insufficient time for a hearing.

Thames Valley Police Rebecca Webber spokesman said: “Unfortunately the trial did not come to fruition until September, at which time Pc Micklethwaite had served 30 years.

“After the trial, Pc Micklethwaite gave notice of his intention to retire, which he was entitled to do.”