Police use of force on 92-year-old dementia patient may have contributed to death

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 24 Sept, 12:14 · Archive

Police officers pepper-sprayed and Tasered a 92-year-old dementia patient at an East Sussex care home in June 2022.

Donald Burgess, an amputee with dementia, flicked food at a worker and refused to put down a butter knife at Park Beck Residential Care Home in St Leonards-on-Sea on 21 June 2022. PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto used pepper spray, a baton and a Taser on him. An inquest has been told their actions may have contributed to his death.

How it is being reported

• Police who Tasered and pepper-sprayed one-legged dementia patient, 92, 'may have contributed to his death'PC Stephen Smith pepper-sprayed Donald Burgess and hit him with his baton, before PC Rachel Comotto shot the 92-year-old with her Taser at a care home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East SussexThe Mirror · 24 Sept, 11:58
• Police who pepper-sprayed pensioner, 92, over butter knife 'may have contributed to his death'Police officers who pepper-sprayed and tasered a 92-year-old disabled pensioner over a butter knife may have contributed to his death, an inquest has been told. On June 21, 2022, police raced to Park Beck Residential Care Home in East Sussex after Donald Burgess, an amputee and dementia patient, flicked his food at a healthcare worker and refused to put down the dull blade. PC Stephen Smith, 51, and PC Rachel Comotto, 34, had "shouted" at the pensioner, before the situation escalated and the pair began "screaming" at the elderly man, the inquest heard. He was then struck in the arm by PC…GB News · 24 Sept, 05:53
• Police officers who Tasered and pepper-sprayed one-legged dementia sufferer, 92, in care home may have contributed to his death, inquest hearsAlarm bells sounded at the Park Beck Residential Care Home in East Sussex after one-legged dementia sufferer Donald Burgess flicked food at a worker on June 21 2022.Daily Mail · 23 Sept, 21:00

In this story: Donald Burgess · PC Stephen Smith · PC Rachel Comotto · Park Beck Residential Care Home · St Leonards-on-Sea · East Sussex

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