AN horrific tale of rape, attempted murder, kidnap and drugs was the last thing a Black Mountains bobby expected to uncover when he was called out to an abandoned car, write ANITA HOWELLS.

First on the scene of the terror ordeal that rocked the Golden Valley from Michaelchurch Escley to Peterchurch in spring 2000, was Constable Andrew Jenkins, who retired last week. In his 30 years as a policeman, including 18 served in his home village, Longtown, he says that was the most vicious crime.

"It was horrendous. We got sent to a car blocking the road between Michaelchurch and Hay. At first we thought it was abandoned. It wasn't until someone drove down and said 'my brother has got two people with him and someone tried to kill them' that it appeared any different. Then I thought, not in Michaelchurch."

Disbelief turned to horror. "We met up this couple who had been kidnapped, assaulted and raped," said PC Jenkins.

His memories are shocking and diverse, but it is his years in the Golden Valley, where Peterchurch's Robert Simpson and Steven Howe attempted to burn the couple alive in their car, that form his strongest memories.

His career began at the age of 19 as a Worcester police cadet. After a stint in Shrewsbury, where he met his wife Pat, and Ross-on-Wye, his dream came true. He and Pat moved to Longtown, an area so rural he had to ask where it was.

"Just about everybody is law abiding and an upright citizen. I got a lot of help, and satisfaction, out of the job."

Crime was largely confined to weekend scuffles at Longtown disco. Even then he got back up from the young farmers.

Community respect was won in many ways. He recalls the harsh winter of the early 1980s when heavy snows left the village's elderly stranded. PC Jenkins, who has a passion for carpentry, made a sleigh and did their shopping for them.

"After 30 years, this has been a way of life. I am ready to leave but not the people I work with. I shall miss them all," he added.