Two police officers who Tasered and pepper-sprayed a 92-year-old amputee in a care home have been found not guilty of assault.
PC Stephen Smith, 51, and PC Rachel Comotto, 36, were both cleared of charges relating to Donald Burgess, a single-leg amputee and wheelchair user, after he was restrained at Park Beck care home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.
The jury at Southwark Crown Court returned a verdict of not guilty to the charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm just two hours after being sent out for deliberations by a judge earlier today.
PC Smith has been cleared of two charges relating to the discharge of Pava spray and a baton, while PC Comotto was cleared of a charge related to discharging her Taser.
After the verdict, the IOPC said both officers would face gross misconduct proceedings for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force, and authority, respect and courtesy.
