Southwark Crown Court
Begins 19 May 2025
Listed for 7 days
The trial of two Sussex Police officers charged with the assault of 93 year old Donald Burgess will begin next week.
Donald Burgess, 93, died in hospital three weeks after an incident on 21 June 2022 involving two police officers’ use of force on him at his care home in St Leonards-On-Sea. He was a wheelchair user and single leg amputee. The officers used a Taser, PAVA spray, a baton and handcuffs on Donald.
PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto will now stand trial charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) in connection with their use of force on Donald on 21 June 2022. PC Smith is facing two charges of ABH, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and PC Comotto is facing one count of ABH.
The charges were announced by the Crown Prosecution Service on 14 May 2024. The trial opens on 19 May 2025 at 10am at Southwark Crown Court.
INQUEST, the family and their lawyers are not able to comment at this stage.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information contact Leila Hagmann on [email protected] or 020 7263 1111.
Donalds’s family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Niamh McLoughlin and Michael Oswald of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors. The family are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker, Jodie Anderson.
Donald Burgess
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Southwark Crown Court
Begins 19 May 2025
Listed for 7 days
The trial of two Sussex Police officers charged with the assault of 93 year old Donald Burgess will begin next week.
Donald Burgess, 93, died in hospital three weeks after an incident on 21 June 2022 involving two police officers’ use of force on him at his care home in St Leonards-On-Sea. He was a wheelchair user and single leg amputee. The officers used a Taser, PAVA spray, a baton and handcuffs on Donald.
PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto will now stand trial charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) in connection with their use of force on Donald on 21 June 2022. PC Smith is facing two charges of ABH, contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, and PC Comotto is facing one count of ABH.
The charges were announced by the Crown Prosecution Service on 14 May 2024. The trial opens on 19 May 2025 at 10am at Southwark Crown Court.
INQUEST, the family and their lawyers are not able to comment at this stage.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information contact Leila Hagmann on [email protected] or 020 7263 1111.
Donalds’s family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Niamh McLoughlin and Michael Oswald of Bhatt Murphy Solicitors. The family are supported by INQUEST Senior Caseworker, Jodie Anderson.
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