A DISABLED Ipswich man has launched a landmark legal battle for compensation after claiming to be the victim of false information put out on the Internet.

A DISABLED Ipswich man has launched a landmark legal battle for compensation after claiming to be the victim of false information put out on the Internet.

Disabled Peter Turtill , 61, of Beatty Road, Ipswich, has been so stressed by the alleged incident he has had to increase the medication he takes for a heart condition, according to a writ issued at London's High Court.

Mr Turtill is a regular visitor to internet chat rooms for disabled people.

The on-line dispute with fellow internet group user Derek Hornby has been continuing for around two years.

But it was in January this year that Mr Turtill decided to take action.

He claims Mr Hornby, who is deaf and blind, has made allegations that Mr Turtill put his address on the Internet with the intention of causing him to be assaulted.

Mr Turtill, who is confined to a wheelchair, insists he would never dream of doing this, and argues the claim is 'reprehensible.'

Mr Hornby, of The Grove, Ormskirk, is said to have posted allegations on various internet groups, including uk.people.disability - which can be accessed through search engine Google, that Mr Turtill has bullied him, threatened him, and sent him threatening letters.

Mr Hornby is also said to have used Mr Turtill's nickname of 'smicker' to infiltrate the groups, according to the writ.

Mr Turtill is now suing Mr Hornby for damages and aggravated damages for the alleged libel.

He has suffered illness, distress, humiliation, and financial loss as a result of the allegations, the writ claims.

The writ was issued by Mr Turtill in person.