Home / Crime and Justice / Inquest probes if force used on 92-year-old amputee caused death
Inquest probes if force used on 92-year-old amputee caused death
24 Sep
Summary
- Elderly man subjected to significant force by police.
- Officers used spray, baton, and Taser within 90 seconds.
- Family seeks inquest reopening after officers cleared of assault.
An inquest is examining whether the use of force by police officers on a 92-year-old amputee with dementia may have contributed to his death. Donald Burgess, who used a wheelchair and had significant health issues, was subjected to pepper spray, a baton, and a Taser by officers within 90 seconds. This incident occurred after he refused to release a butter knife.
His family has requested the reopening of the inquest into his death, which occurred 22 days after the police intervention. Although the officers were cleared of assault charges last year, their actions are now under scrutiny for potentially causing 'physiological stress' that could have impacted Mr. Burgess's health.
The officers were called to Park Beck care home on June 21, 2022. Lawyers for Mr. Burgess's family argue that officers failed to assess the situation before applying significant force. Mr. Burgess later tested positive for Covid-19 and died on July 9, 2022. A post-mortem determined his cause of death as heart disease and bronchopneumonia.
