Police officers deny assaulting care home amputee

Two police officers have pleaded not guilty to assaulting an amputee pensioner with pepper spray and a Taser in his care home.

The officers were called to an incident at a care home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, in June 2022.

Donald Burgess, 93, died in hospital 22 days after the incident.

Rachel Commotto, 34 and Stephen Smith, 51, both gave their addresses as Hastings police station.

Ms Comotto pleaded not guilty to one count of actual bodily harm with a Taser, while Mr Smith pleaded not guilty to two charges of actual bodily harm with a pepper spray and a baton.

Judge John Zani at Westminster Magistrates' Court granted them bail and their case was sent to Southwark Crown Court where they are due to appear on 23 May.

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