Two police officers who hit a 93-year-old dementia sufferer before tasering and pepper spraying him are facing being charged. Donald Burgess, who was in a wheelchair and had one leg, was brandishing a knife and threatening staff when the officers disarmed and then handcuffed him.
He was taken to hospital after the incident at a care home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, for medical treatment, but died three weeks later, on July 13 last year. Gross misconduct notices were served on the two constables involved, along with letters telling them they were under criminal investigation for manslaughter.
Both serving officers - who work for Sussex Police - are still on duty with "appropriate restrictions" in place, the force said. Police watchdog the IOPC has been investigating the death as a potential manslaughter. Now a file of evidence has been passed to prosecutors to decide if the officers should be charged.
