A GAS and electricity salesman who terrorised a disabled woman in her own home has been suspended pending a disciplinary hearing.

The npower representative left Theresa Crooke, 57, shaking and "petrified" after haranguing her for an hour in her Darlington home, as reported yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the company said last night that an investigation into the incident was launched and the salesman suspended as soon as Mrs Crooke made a complaint last month.

"The investigation has been speeded up, following the report in The Northern Echo," she said.

"Mrs Crooke was visited by two managers today to take her statement. This now needs to go before a tribunal."

She said Mrs Crooke, an npower customer, had accepted financial compensation.

Npower has come under fire from watchdog Energywatch North-East for the agent's actions.

Director Carole Pitkeathley described it as a "disgraceful example" of consumer bullying.

"This behaviour is one of the worst kinds as it has put the consumer in a position of fear and intimidation," she said.

"This cannot be tolerated and npower needs to look at its sales teams to ensure that this form of abuse never happens again."