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'The Mirror · 24 Sept, 11:58
• Police who pepper-sprayed pensioner, 92, over butter knife 'may have contributed to his death'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 hearsDaily 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

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem