A police officer says he would not have done anything differently after pepper-spraying a 92-year-old amputee man in a wheelchair at his care home, according to evidence heard at a disciplinary hearing. The officer, PC Stephen Smith, describes the encounter with Donald Burgess, a widower who was in his care home when the incident occurred.
The accounts presented to the hearing indicate that Smith entered the room and warned Burgess that he would be “sprayed or tasered” if he did not drop a knife he was holding. The hearing considers whether the officer’s actions and use of force were appropriate in the circumstances. The coverage centers on Smith’s statement that he believes his conduct was justified, while also highlighting the seriousness of the allegation involving a vulnerable elderly resident.
Because the reporting provided here comes from the same outlet, there is limited variation in how different angles are presented. However, the core disputed elements remain the same across the account: what Burgess was holding, the warnings given by the officer, and the decision to use pepper spray.
