Police officers deny assault of disabled man, 93, with dementia in care home
Donald Burgess died three weeks after the incident in hospital. A court was told the officers used a taser, pepper spray and baton on him.
Friday 26 April 2024 06:44, UK
Two police officers assaulted a man with dementia using a Taser, pepper spray and a baton, a court has heard.
Donald Burgess, 93, had a disability and lived in a care home.
PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto were called to the property in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex following reports of a resident wielding a knife and threatening staff in June 2022.
Mr Burgess, who had one leg, was taken to hospital after the incident and died there three weeks later.
An Independent Office for Police Conduct investigation found that the incident did not cause or contribute to his death.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Tap hereBe the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Read more from Sky News:
Horses that bolted through central London undergo operations
Laurence Fox ordered to pay £180,000
Prince William surprises boy who wrote to him
Comotto, 34, denied a count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm through the use of her Taser.
Smith, 50, denied two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm upon Mr Burgess by using Pava spray and a baton.
They were both bailed ahead of an appearance at Southwark Crown Court on 23 May.