A NEATH man says he believes he is "lucky to be alive" after alleging police officers fired a Taser stun gun at his head.

Dad-of-four Jeff Evans, of Briton Ferry, made the complaint following his arrest by South Wales Police on August 15, 2009.

The 45-year-old's claims are being independently investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Mr Evans said: "I thought they (the police) were going to kill me.

"The police burst in and shot me with a Taser gun when I was standing in my boxer shorts in the kitchen.

"They shot me in the face and I had 50,000 volts go through my brain.

"I think I'm lucky to be alive."

Mr Evans claimed he was also shot in the chest, thigh and elbow.

"I was hit in the face with a baton and I needed 10-12 stitches in my head," Mr Evans added. "I had black eyes, a split lip, swollen cheek bones and a tooth was knocked out."

He claimed he lost a total of three pints of blood and that a Taser bar had to be removed from his head.

The IPCC took the decision to upgrade the complaint up to an independent investigation on January 25 after the organisation's investigator overseeing the internal probe became aware of what it describes as "actions, outside of the investigation terms of reference" had taken place.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Jukes added: "South Wales Police has been notified of the IPCC decision to re-determine this investigation from managed to independently investigate.

"I have authorised a full review into the matter.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

Tom Davies, IPCC Commissioner for Wales, added: "Public confidence in the police system is paramount. I have decided to use our own investigators to take over this investigation.

"I have spoken to the force and I am pleased that South Wales Police has ordered an immediate review, which will be carried out by Assistant Chief Constable Matt Jukes."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk