A DISABLED man told today of his terrifying ordeal when armed police with dogs surrounded and arrested him in a York alleyway.

David Illingworth, who was suspected of carrying a firearm, but was later released when nothing was found, claims he has been left traumatised by the experience.

"It was like something from Miami Vice," said Mr Illingworth, who is on medication for a nervous condition and receives severe disability allowance.

The 51-year-old was walking towards the Rock Church's drop-in centre off Priory Street, when he says he was suddenly confronted by about a dozen officers with police dogs.

He said: "One of them spoke through a loudhailer, ordering me to stop and put my hands in the air.

"I had to spread-eagle against the wall while four of them searched me.

"It was terrifying -I didn't have a clue why it was happening. The dogs were going wild.

"I was eventually told that I was suspected of carrying a gun, which was complete rubbish."

Mr Illingworth was then taken to York Police Station, in Fulford Road, where he says he was searched in a cell before being taken to his flat in Holly Terrace, Clementhorpe, which was also searched.

No charges were made against him after no firearms were found.

"I've been in severe discomfort both physically and mentally since the ordeal," he said. "I've got a blinding headache and it's causing me unbelievable stress.

"I've never owned a gun in my life, so I don't know where they got that from."

Chief Superintendent John Lacy, of York police, confirmed an armed response vehicle unit was called to the Priory Street area at about 1.30pm on Tuesday following a "genuine call" claiming that Mr Illingworth was carrying a firearm.

He said: "Given the circumstances of Mr Illingworth's detention, I can quite understand his concerns. We did not wish to cause him any distress.

"But we were faced with a conflict of interest: the need to prevent potentially serious disorder against the needs to uphold the human rights of the individual.

"A decision was made to locate Mr Illingworth on CCTV cameras and use an armed response unit and beat officers to detain him and use our powers of stop and search.

"This resulted in him being removed from the streets and searched at the police station.

"The search proved negative and he was taken home by officers.

"Our firearms unit never had a cause to draw their weapons during the incident."

Updated: 11:05 Friday, March 08, 2002