Sussex Police slammed by family of tasered dementia patient

Police were called to a care home in June after reports an elderly man was threatening staff with a knife.

Two officers attended and found one-legged Donald Burgess sitting in his wheelchair in his own room holding a knife.

After speaking with him briefly one of the officers pepper-sprayed the vulnerable pensioner and then hit him with a baton. When he failed to drop the knife a second officer tasered him.

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

However on arrival his condition was judged to be serious and the 93-year-old was immediately transferred to hospital where he died three weeks later on Wednesday, July 13.

Sussex Police voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which has launched an enquiry into the incident, which happened at Park Beck care home in Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards.

Now Mr Burgess’s family have blasted Sussex Police for using a Taser on a “defenceless, confused old man” confined to a wheelchair.

Shirley Fitch, his cousin, said: “We just can’t believe it. Why on earth would you Taser a dementia sufferer sitting in a wheelchair? He couldn’t have done any harm to anyone.

“He was just a poorly confused old man suffering from dementia. Why on earth would police have to use a Taser on him let alone a baton and pepper spray?

“Apparently he was in his own room so he couldn’t have hurt anyone anyway and must have been very, very confused.”

Mrs Fitch said: “We’re just shocked and appalled by this. It is just the most awful thing.”

Both officers have not been suspended for their action though they are on restricted duties, in roles that are not public facing with their suspension status kept under review."

David Fitch, Shirley's husband, said: “I can’t believe they’re still on duty. That’s incredible. Why haven’t they been suspended?”

Street View (Image: Street View)

The couple revealed they found out by watching television.

Mrs Fitch, 84, of St Leonards, said: “We only found out about this dreadful, dreadful thing from watching the news on television.

“We were sat there watching, thinking how terrible it was and then heard his name. My husband turned to me and said: ‘Isn’t that your Don?” I was just horrified and shocked.”

The two officers - both police constables from Sussex Police - have been told they are under criminal investigation for manslaughter and have also been handed gross misconduct notices.

The IOPC said initial steps carried out in the investigation include taking witness statements and reviewing the officers’ body worn video footage.

They also attended the post mortem on Thursday, July 21 and await the findings of further cardio-pathology examinations, as the cause of Mr Burgess’s death is not yet known.

Neighbours at his former home in Battle are also “stunned and shocked” by his tragic death.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “Oh what a tragedy. He was a lovely, sociable man. He and his wife, Ethel, lived here for years and they were a lovely couple.

“Ethel got cancer and the last time she went into a hospice I promised her I’d look after her Don. This is so upsetting. I can’t believe it. How terrible.”

Donald Burgess (Image: Donald Burgess)

She said Mr Burgess, a retired carpenter, had suffered from diabetes for some time and had to have his leg amputated as a result.

“After Ethel died he had his own carers,” the neighbour added. “But after he had his leg amputated he only came back for one night before he had to go into a care home.”

Another neighbour said: “He must have developed dementia after he went into the care home because he was always fine when he was here. We liked him. He was a friendly old guy. I think the death of his wife hit him very hard.”

Another resident said the couple were childless and had to rely on carers in their later years.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "This incident is subject to a full investigation and any further disclosure may jeopardise the IOPC investigation into both criminal and misconduct matters."