AN eccentric Monmouth pensioner has told the Review he was petrified of being shot dead when his home was surrounded by armed police.

Retired farmer Jack Roocroft, 78, of Troy Way, lives in housing association property, but still drives around on his distinctive vintage orange tractor.

On New Year's Eve 'Mad Jack', as he is known locally, was having a quiet time at home and alone when armed police sealed off the estate following reports of man driving around in a tractor brandishing a shotgun. 

Gwent Police's Armed Response Team arrived within minutes of the 8.15pm call. Mr Roocroft, who was sleeping in front of his television, was woken by a phone call requesting him to go outside.

"I went to the door and peered through the glass and as I saw nobody at the door, I returned to my seat as I thought it was a festive prank," he said.

"But moments later the phone went again and the caller said they were the police and told me to come out with my hands up above my head. 

"I then realised that the police were armed and as I didn't want to die in a blaze of fire I remained defiant.

"I had a month's worth of provisions at home, so I was prepared to stick it out." 

A further two-hour standoff followed with armed officers hiding behind vehicles and bushes while Mr Roocroft telephoned people to help him.

Town councillor John Fletcher agreed to help Mr Roocroft "get out of the incident alive."

When Mr Roocroft saw the councillor approach with two armed officers he decided to come out of his house with his hands up at 11.15pm.

"The police quickly pounced on me and dragged me down the steps where I was whisked away to spend the early hours of New Year's Day in the cells," said Mr Roocroft.

"I think I have been set up by somebody with a grudge against me. I may be both eccentric and mad, but my tractor is currently at Frank Sutton's agricultural engineers being serviced, so it couldn't have been me. This whole thing has stressed me out and I feel as if I have been dragged behind a tractor.

"A lot of people in Monmouth are probably sad that I wouldn't let the police do a proper job and shoot me!" he joked.

Gwent Police confirmed that Mr Roocroft was arrested on suspicion of a firearms offence. Following a search of his property, in which no weapons were found, he was released at 6am on New Year's Day.