A COURAGEOUS police officer who battled to return to work after being left paralysed has been inspiring young people.

PC Arron Williams broke his neck while playing rugby for Basildon Rugby Club back in 2007.

But despite being left wheelchair bound, the determined 27-year-old was back at work at Basildon Police Station last year as part of a desk-based team monitoring investigations.

He has now talked about his experiences with youngsters on a course organised by the Prince’s Trust, a charity which tries to help young people who have had a difficult start in life get things back on track.

Arron, who lives on Canvey, said: “As a teenager, I got into some of the scrapes and hi- jinks that many youngsters experience.

“But joining Essex Police and being selected to play for Basildon RFC changed all that. I had to be disciplined to be a police officer and to play competitive rugby.

“While I was living my dream, the accident happened and everything changed.”

Three years later, Arron has learned to live with his injuries But for a rugby-mad young man who was training to be a police advanced response driver, it was devastating.

Arron said: “Although the doctors told me the injury to my neck meant I would never regain the use of my legs, I didn’t want to believe them. For a long time, I was convinced that I would walk again. I was in denial.

“And that was a huge challenge. First accepting that I wouldn’t walk, and then, secondly, I had to set about adapting my life, and the environment around me, to enable me to do the things that I want or need to do.”

Arron’s visit to the Prince’s Trust course at St Peter’s College in Chelmsford came about when his friend Detective Sergeant Richard Burgess was seconded to work for the charity.

He saw how Arron’s story could help inspire young people facing challenges in their own lives.

Det Sgt Burgess said: “Arron has had to overcome obstacles that most of us never have to face, and he’s a really passionate talker, so we decided to invite him along to meet our Princes Trust team.

“The result was an intense and moving afternoon session.”

It is hoped Arron will meet with similar groups of young people across the county.