Police officers who Tasered one-legged pensioner charged after probe

Two cops have been charged with inflicting precise bodily hurt after a 93-year-old, one-legged dementia sufferer who died after being Tasered in his wheelchair.

Police had been known as to a care residence after reviews of an aged man threatening employees with a knife.

Two officers attended and located one-legged Donald Burgess, 93, sitting in his wheelchair in his personal room holding a knife.

After participating with him briefly one of many officers pepper sprayed the weak pensioner after which hit him with a baton. When he did not drop the knife a second officer Tasered him.

After disarming Mr Burgess, who had superior dementia, the officers then handcuffed, arrested him and drove him to the police station.

Two officers attended and located one-legged Donald Burgess, 93, (pictured) sitting in his wheelchair in his personal room holding a knife

Sussex Police voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which has launched an enquiry into the incident in June 2022 which occurred at at Park Beck care residence in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex (pictured)

However on arrival his situation was judged to be critical and the 93-year-old was instantly transferred to hospital the place he died three weeks later in July 2022.

Sussex Police voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which has launched an enquiry into the incident in June 2022 which occurred at at Park Beck care residence in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

Now two officers have been charged with inflicting precise bodily hurt and can seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Court subsequent month.

PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto, have been each charged with the identical offence in connection to their use of drive on Donald Burgess in St Leonards-on-Sea.

PC Smith, 50, is going through two fees of ABH, opposite to part 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, whereas PC Comotto, aged 34, is going through one cost.

IOPC director Mel Palmer stated: ‘Our ideas stay with Mr Burgess’ household and everybody affected by this incident. We have saved his household, Sussex Police and the Coroner knowledgeable all through our investigation.

‘Following our investigation, the CPS has authorised fees in opposition to each officers and prison proceedings will now happen.’

Mr Burgess’ household had been ‘shocked and horrified’ by his demise of the dementia sufferer and stated he had lived a ‘innocent life’

Police had been known as to Park Beck care residence (pictured) after reviews of an aged man threatening employees with a knife

Shirley Fitch, his cousin, stated he had been devoted to his spouse Ethel however when she died his well being deteriorated and he moved into the care residence.

A neighbours at his former residence in Battle, East Sussex stated: ‘He was a stunning, sociable man. He and his spouse, Ethel, lived right here for years and so they had been a stunning couple.

‘Ethel acquired most cancers and the final time she went right into a hospice I promised her I’d take care of her Don.’

She stated Mr Burgess, a retired carpenter, had suffered from diabetes for a while and needed to have his leg amputated because of this.

‘After Ethel died he had his personal carers,’ the neighbour added. ‘But after he had his leg amputated he solely got here again for one night time earlier than he had to enter a care residence.’

The cops will seem in court docket on April 24.