Channel 4 Racing betting expert John McCririck today revealed his "shock" and anger that he may face a private prosecution over an alleged assault at York races.

He spoke after it emerged that 55-year-old security guard Jan Cole would be speaking to her solicitors over the matter.

Mr McCririck had earlier expressed his relief that the Crown Prosecution Service and the police had decided to take no further action over the matter.

He also called for more Government restrictions on private security companies.

Mrs Cole, who was working for internal security firm Constant Security Services, claimed that Mr McCririck "brushed her aside" after he tried to go into a restricted area of the Knavesmire Stand.

The incident involving the grandmother happened at about 12.30pm on the final day of the three-day Ebor meeting on August 23.

Mrs Cole, who has five children and 20 grandchildren, made a complaint to the police following the incident. Both she and Mr McCririck, who later insisted he had done nothing wrong, gave statements to the police.

She is said to have told Mr McCririck that he did not have the correct badge to go into a luxury suite in the stand.

At the time, Constant Security Services managing director, Mick Lee, defended her actions and insisted she was only doing her job.

Mr McCririck said today: "I did not assault her. I have never assaulted a woman. I never will.

"I am shocked at this attempt to bypass the official, impartial investigation. It shows contempt for our whole system of law.

"But being a minor so-called celebrity, I am not surprised. Others have been similarly victimised.

"From the numerous calls and contacts I have had, there are many other victims of mistaken intransigence and officiousness involving private security firms.

"A minority of employees, hopefully not Mrs Cole, seem to believe that wearing a uniform entitles them to become Jobsworths rather than taking pride in assisting the general public."

Mr Lee said today: "She does feel aggrieved and will be seeing a solicitor to take advice. Hopefully, that advice will be 'such is life'.

"She said to me that she is considering a private prosecution and, if she decides that is what she wants to do, then I, as her employer, have a duty to back her on it."

Updated: 12:23 Friday, September 21, 2001