A FATHER whose house was raided by armed police has claimed the traumatic experience has made his mental health issues considerably worse.

Armed officers arrived at Stephen Annetts’ home in Whitehawk Way, Brighton, following reports of a man pointing a gun out of a window and making threats.

Police arrested him on suspicion of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and making threats to kill, but found no evidence of any firearm or imitation firearm at Mr Annetts’ home.

He was held in police custody overnight and released the next morning without charge.

The 42-year-old said: “My wife woke me up while I was fast asleep in bed and police were at the door shouting.

“I ran down the stairs to the door in shock and was told to put my hands in the air.

“My 16-year-old son was put in handcuffs first and had a gun pointed at him before they handcuffed me and began to search the house. My boy was clearly in pain and shouted out saying it hurt. He asked them to please stop.

“The police told us they had a serious situation on their hands.”

The incident happened shortly after 10pm on Tuesday, June 6 and Mr Annetts has now decided to speak out.

Mr Annetts said he saw five or six police vehicles, some marked and others unmarked, and around ten armed officers when he was led away in handcuffs as neighbours watched.

Mr Annetts added: “I suffer badly with depression and this has just made me feel like banging my head on the wall.

“Both my son and I feel so isolated now because of this and every time he hears a car door slam or a loud noise outside he comes to check whether we are ok as the worry is just too much.

“I spoke to my doctor about it after the incident and explained that even without this I was already finding it difficult to leave the house.

“I am now on heavy medication due to the problems this has caused me.

“My son had cuts and bruises from when he was put in cuffs. A young boy shouldn’t be put through that for nothing.”

Mr Annetts said he and his family will consider taking legal action over the matter.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Officers attended and arrested a 42-year-old man from Brighton on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and making threats to kill.

“He was later released without charge due to a lack of evidence. Police take all reports of this nature extremely seriously and will deal with each incident accordingly.”