Rachel Commotto, 34, and Stephen Smith, 51, both police officers, pleaded not guilty to assaulting a 93-year-old amputee pensioner with pepper spray and a Taser in his care home. The incident took place in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex in June 2022, and the victim, Donald Burgess, passed away 22 days later in hospital. The officers gave their addresses as Hastings police station in court.
Ms Commotto denied one count of actual bodily harm with a Taser while Mr Smith denied two charges of actual bodily harm with pepper spray and a baton. The judge, John Zani, granted the pair bail, and their case has been sent to Southwark Crown Court, where they will appear on 23 May.
The trial raises concerns about the way elderly residents in care homes are treated and the use of force by police officers. “We are committed to helping older people feel safe in their homes and would like an assurance that care homes are taking all possible steps to ensure the safety of their residents,” Danny Elliott, head of St Leonards and Hastings Alzheimer’s Society, said.
The case has drawn national attention and media focus, spurring public debate around the use of force against vulnerable people. Many have criticized the officers’ actions as an abuse of power, and there have been calls for greater accountability within the policing system to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future
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