A POLICE 999 call handler shot in the chest during a firearms awareness course has received hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation.

Keith Tilbury, 56, nearly died and was in intensive care for two weeks after he was shot with a .44 Magnum revolver in a classroom in Kidlington in May 2007.

Yesterday, it was revealed Thames Valley Police had paid out a six-figure sum to their former employee after admitting liability for the incident.

Mr Tilbury’s solicitor would not comment on the exact amount , but Mr Tilbury originally sought £300,000 damages. He has been unable to return to work since the shooting.

Mr Tilbury said: “In May 2007, during a training class for 999 call operators, the firearms training officer took a revolver, loaded it and fired it, almost killing me, causing major injuries and certainly putting an end to my career.

“I am pleased Thames Valley Police has acknowledged mistakes were made and that I have been awarded compensation that will help me to deal with the injuries I have suffered, and pay for any future treatment I may need.”

Mr Tilbury, who has moved to Surrey with his wife Jill, was on the awareness course with other control room staff when he was shot.

A hearing at Southwark Crown Court last year heard firearms training officer, former Pc David Micklethwaite, 52, loaded ammunition which he believed to be blanks, pointed the gun at Mr Tilbury and pulled the trigger.

Police kept live and blank ammunition together in an old Quality Street tin, the hearing was told. Micklethwaite retired in October last year before a disciplinary hearing could begin.

The force was fined £40,000 and Micklethwaite £8,000 after admitting health and safety breaches.

Deputy Chief Constable Francis Habgood apologised for the shooting. He added: “Keith Tilbury has accepted a compensation offer for injuries caused when he was accidentally shot, an incident which the force has always accepted should never have happened.

“Firearms training procedures have been reviewed and the recommendations made by HSE (Health and Safety Executive) implemented.”