A furious couple have made an official complaint about police conduct following their son's wrongful arrest for stealing firearms.

Mac and Janet McHugh, of Pains Way, Amesbury, told the

Journal this week that their lives were made a misery by MoD police conducting the investigation into the disappearance of 35 weapons from the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill in April this year.

They have now gone to the Police Complaints Authority and are awaiting the outcome of an investigation.

Mr McHugh (47), who previously worked as an MoD contractor, said: "They searched our house twice and completely wrecked it, showing absolutely no respect for our property.

"We fully co-operated but they treated us like dirt and left us to clear up and pay out for the mess. Their attitude toward us was disgusting. We felt as if they walked into our lives, wiped their feet and then left."

The theft of the firearms - 13 shotguns, three starter pistols and

19 semi-automatic pistols - sparked a security and anti-terrorist alert at Larkhill. Mr and Mrs McHugh' son, David (26), and two others, who all worked in the armoury where the missing guns had been stored, were arrested within days.

They were then suspended from their jobs for three months, although no charges were brought against any of them.

Mr McHugh snr claimed: "It is obvious that the three were arrested as sacrificial lambs because of incompetence higher up.

It has now been seven months, but still no apology or explanation of why our son was arrested."

A spokesman for the MoD police said: "It is difficult to comment specifically on this case as there are still several matters outstanding that we would not like to prejudice.

"A decision on paying for damages to the house is being considered, while the Police Complaints Authority is investigating the conduct of the MoD police officers.

The original investigation into the theft of the guns is also still going on. "However, we do regret any unnecessary stress that may have been caused by the investigation."