A lawyer for Sussex Police has told a misconduct hearing that two officers who Tasered a 92-year-old man 'acted hastily, harshly and lost control.' The words were those of Aaron Rathmell, who is representing the force. They are not a finding by the disciplinary panel.
PC Stephen Smith, 52, and PC Rachel Comotto, 37, face gross-misconduct proceedings over their use of force against Donald Burgess and alleged breaches of professional standards. The hearing began on 28 September 2026 and is ongoing.
