Police force releasing video of sacked officer arresting knifeman ‘smacks of desperation'
A police force's decision to release a video showing the arrest of a teenage knifeman by an officer sacked for misconduct 'smacks of desperation', colleagues have said.
Former Pc Lorne Castle, 46, can be seen in the footage lawfully tackling the 15-year-old suspect to the ground in Bournemouth after detaining him for two assaults.
Castle, a highly experienced and decorated police officer, was sacked last week after being found guilty of gross misconduct.
His dismissal led to a public backlash, with former colleagues rushing to defend the officer.
On Tuesday, Dorset Police took the unusual decision to release footage of the incident to the public to 'challenge misinformation'.
It led the Dorset Police Federation to say the video had been 'carefully selected' and formed only 'part of the case' against Mr Castle.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Farrell said: 'I understand the strength of feeling in this case and it is right to be open and transparent about what the independent panel saw, alongside other evidence and testimony.
'We are sharing body-worn video to address concerns about misinformation and to reassure the public that, while tackling crime in Dorset, our officers will continue to be proactive and robust – but by using their powers proportionately and with respect.'
In the footage of the arrest, which took place in January last year, Mr Castle sits astride the boy and orders him to 'get your f------ hands behind your back'.
He places his hand on the suspect's face for a few seconds before calling him a 'b----'.
He then tells him to 'stop resisting or I'm going to smash you up'.
Throughout the two-minute video the boy can be heard screaming and yelling: 'What have I done?' and 'I don't want you on me'.
Moments later, a Stanley-type craft knife fell out of the boy's waistband.
During his misconduct hearing, Mr Castle admitted that his actions during the arrest were 'over the top' and that he was 'embarrassed' by the video, but claimed that it did not amount to gross misconduct.
At the time of the arrest, the boy was wanted in connection with an assault on an elderly person on Bournemouth seafront and for being part of a gang attack at a McDonald's restaurant.
A large gang fight had occurred in the area a few days before. Two potential suspects from the fight were still at large on the morning that Mr Castle was on patrol with Pc Susannah Justice, and they had been warned about the possible dangers the offenders posed.
After the video was released, a spokesman for the Dorset Police Federation said: 'The force has inexplicably chosen to do this without also providing context or balance and in the full knowledge that an appeal by the officer may be pending.
'The reason for the release appears primarily to be an attempt by Dorset Police to manage some of the public criticism the force has received following the decision to dismiss the officer, rather than a genuine desire to properly inform the public.
'As we have previously mentioned, we are extremely concerned about the implications of the outcome of this case to other hard-working front-line officers who in difficult, dynamic and dangerous situations have to use force to protect themselves and the public.'
The Federation noted that the clip fails to show the wider context of the arrest and the violence that had plagued the seaside town in the preceding days, adding that it had never suggested that the actions of Mr Castle were without fault.
Christopher Amey, a former chief inspector in the force, also pointed out that the clip had been published without any context as to what was going on in the background.
'He had a crowd gathering around him. If you are going to release footage like that, where is the CCTV of the previous incidents to show what this offender was capable of. Where is the context?
'It just smacks of desperation because they realise that trust and confidence in Dorset Police is at an all time low.'
In a decade as a constable, Mr Castle was twice commended for saving the lives of members of the public. In one incident in 2023, he put his own safety at risk to rescue a woman from being swept away in a flooded river.
In 2021, he was made Dorset Police's officer of the year for his 'outstanding service' and for undertaking every shift 'with the personal commitment to make a difference and do the right thing'.
The misconduct panel, led by Wiltshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Deborah Smith, found he failed to act with self-control.
It said he did not treat the boy with courtesy or respect and that his 'shouting, swearing, finger pointing and taking hold of the boy's face suggested use of leg restraints was not necessary, reasonable or proportionate'.
The panel also concluded, however, that he genuinely believed the 15-year-old, who was hooded and covering his face when Castle spotted him, was a potential escapee and high risk.
They also accepted he genuinely thought the boy was resisting arrest and trying to break free and that these beliefs were those of any reasonable officer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
Indigenous man dies in police custody in Northern Territory
An Indigenous man has died in police custody in the Northern Territory, the same day as hundreds protested in Sydney and Brisbane over the death of 24-year-old Indigenous man, Kumanjayi White, in Alice Springs last month. The Northern Territory police force said the 68-year-old man died in Royal Darwin hospital on Saturday, and they would investigate the death on behalf of the coroner. He was arrested on 30 May, after the Australian federal police received reports of the man being intoxicated and unable to board a flight out of Darwin at 1pm. He was taken into protective custody and initially conveyed to the Palmerston watchhouse. He was then transported to the Royal Darwin hospital for further assessment. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The police said the man lost consciousness on arrival at the hospital, with medical staff successfully performing CPR. He was transferred to an intensive care unit in a stable condition for a suspected medical event. The man died in the ICU on Saturday, with the cause of death undetermined, pending a postmortem examination. A spokesperson for the NT police said it is being investigated as a death in custody 'as the man was in the custody of the AFP at the time of him first losing consciousness'. Police confirmed the man is Aboriginal and his next of kin have been notified. The man's death happened the same day as hundreds protested in Sydney and Brisbane over the death of 24-year-old Indigenous man, Kumanjayi White, after being restrained by the police in the Northern Territory. Police alleged that the Warlpiri man was shoplifting when plainclothes officers stepped in to assist the store's security guard. The NT police 'respectfully' rejected a request from White's family that an inquiry independent of police be undertaken in 'a culturally safe manner', and there have been calls for the AFP to take over the investigation. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The Central Land Council had urged the federal government to withhold funding from the NT government until the family's demand for an independent inquiry was met. 'We don't trust this government and its police force to keep us safe,' said the CLC chair, Warren Williams, who is also White's uncle. Last week marked five years since tens of thousands defied Covid restrictions in Australia to march in Black Lives Matter protests across the country, calling for an end to Indigenous deaths in custody. Indigenous Australians can call 13YARN on 13 92 76 for information and crisis support; or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Keir Starmer and Labour are accused of standing in the way of a ban on cousins marrying each other - after poll shows British people want it axed
Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour party are standing in the way of a ban on cousins marrying each other, after a new poll showed an overwhelming majority of Britons want to see it axed, a Conservative MP has claimed. Conservative MP Richard Holden last year introduced a private members' bill to ban the practice, which would bring cousin marriages into the same bracket as marrying a parent, child, sibling or grandparent. Now a new YouGov poll has revealed the British communities that are most likely to back first cousin marriages, with a large majority thinking the practice should be outlawed. The former Cabinet Minister and Conservative Party Chairman told MailOnline: 'This YouGov poll is clear. 'The overwhelming majority of Brits, including those of Pakistani heritage, want to see first cousin marriage banned. 'The fact Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are standing in the way of ending an outdated practice rooted in misogynistic cultural practices shows that he's more interested in promoting cultural relativism than in ending practices that have no place in our country and isolate both individuals and communities from each other. 'If Starmer really believed in British values he'd back my bill, just like every community in Britain does.' Pakistani and Bangladeshi Britons are most likely to support the first cousin marriages, with 39 percent of those polled saying it should be legal. While 47 percent of the community say the practice should not be legal, this compares to just eight percent of white Britons who support first-cousin marriage. Six percent of black Britons say marrying a cousin should be legal, with nine percent of Indian Britons holding the same view. While marrying close relatives including siblings and half-siblings is illegal in the UK, marrying a first cousin is technically legal. Some 77 percent of white and Indian Britons believe marrying a cousin should be made illegal, compared to 82 percent of black Britons. Currently the UK follows the practice of 'genetic counselling', in which first cousins who are in a relationship are offered education about the risk of having children together and encouraged to receive extra checks during pregnancy. It is estimated that children of a first-cousin union have a six percent chance of inheriting a recessive disorder such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease - double the risk of the general population. But some have warned that outlawing the practice completely risks stigmatising those already in first cousin marriages in the UK. Amongst these was Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed, who drew huge criticism last year for defending cousin marriage. Instead of banning it outright, he said a 'more positive approach' involving advanced genetic tests for prospective married cousins would be more effective in addressing issues around it. One of Britain's foremost experts on child health also defended the right for first cousins to marry, dismissing concerns about inbreeding. Professor Dominic Wilkinson, an NHS neonatologist and ethics expert at the University of Oxford, argued a ban would be 'unethical'. Instead, Professor Wilkinson backed calls for such couples to be offered special screening on the NHS to help them decide if they should have children. Such tests can cost £1,200 privately. They are designed to spot whether prospective parents are carriers for the same genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy. It comes as data from 2023 showed in three inner-city Bradford wards, 46 percent of mothers from the Pakistani community are married to a first or second cousin, according to data published in 2023. The overall estimate for the cousing marriage capital of the UK in Pakistani couples was 37 percent ten years ago, and this figure has since dropped. Reasons behind the fall are thought to include high educational attainment, stricter immigration rules and changes in family dynamics. It compares to just one percent of white British couples. YouGov's data also revealed that those in London are most likely to support first cousin marriage, at 15 percent. The north followed at 12 percent, while in the Midlands it was ten percent. The south of England and Wales were the least likely to support it being legal, at six and seven percent respectively. Historically, first cousin marriages were extremely common amongst royalty and the British upper classes. It was seen as a way of firming up alliances and keeping wealth and land in the family. MailOnline recently revealed that no-one is tracking the rate of cousin marriages in the UK, with councils not recording any data on the issue. Studies have put Pakistan as having one of the highest rates globally at 65 percent of unions. This is followed by Saudi Arabia (50 percent), Afghanistan (40 percent), Iran (30 percent) and Egypt and Turkey (20 percent).
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Mum's in a care home. Dad has a new girlfriend
I watched my mum's face beam as she read her retirement cards, each one urging her to embrace freedom, explore hobbies and savour the best years of her life. Just eight months on, she was sat staring at the television, silent. When I asked what she was watching, she hesitated — then smiled as if to cover the fact that she didn't know the answer. Something was wrong. Mum was diagnosed with early onset dementia at 64. The celebration of her retirement had barely faded before she began withdrawing. Less eye contact. Short answers. Smiling and scoffing before walking away. Within a few months, my dad, my brother and I knew what life had in store for Mum, and it was far from anything in those retirement cards. At the same time, my wife was expecting our first child —Mum's first grandchild. We had decided to name her after Mum. The announcement was met with silence. No flicker of emotion from a woman who had always been so sentimental, so affectionate — never short of happy tears, even at corny adverts on TV. Dementia tightened its grip. Within three months, Mum became adamant nothing was wrong. She refused to see professionals, shutting us out with stubborn silence. Dad took over all housekeeping duties while Mum sat quietly, emotionless, staring into space. When she became doubly incontinent and suffered recurring infections, we accepted we needed help. After she was found in her nightgown down the road, Dad called a family meeting. We made the painful decision to move Mum into a local residential home. Then Covid hit, and for the next 12 months we waved at our despondent, rapidly declining mum — now a grandmother — through a window. I knew the adjustment would be hard. For me it meant losing the family unit I had always known. For Dad it meant the end of a 40-year marriage as he'd known it. But what none of us could have prepared for was how quickly life would shift once Mum was in the home. And how, in the midst of our grief, Dad would find love again. Out of the blue, Dad announced he was going on holiday. 'That's brilliant,' my wife said, nodding at me to agree. I did, half-listening as they chatted about the details. That night, she turned to me. 'Did you hear him say 'we'?' I hadn't. But now I couldn't stop hearing it. We speculated. Had he met someone? Could it be a catfish after his retirement fund? • Women who go through early menopause 'have higher risk of dementia' It wasn't a fraudster. It was Carol — Mum's best friend. The woman who had lived over the road for as long as I could remember. Mum and Carol had met when my parents moved to the street aged 29. Unlike Mum, who was quite shy, Carol was the wild one, the party girl. She told stories of nudist beaches and reckless adventures that made Mum giggle. Their friendship was built on shared experiences, always being there for one another, and a general mutual love of all things 'good housekeeping'— they were the typical Tupperware partygoers. Carol and her husband had been there for all of Mum's milestones. But shortly after Mum's 60th birthday, Carol's husband died suddenly. Carol and her two grown-up daughters were devastated. From this point on, Carol often came over, escaping the silence in her now-empty house. And when Mum started forgetting things, mixing up days and names, it was Carol who first suggested something might be wrong. She knew Mum so well — probably better than Dad did. After Mum moved into the care home, I would visit Dad and Carol would be there, drinking tea, just as she always had. It felt normal. She was family. I never imagined there was anything more to it. The holiday made it official. When Dad returned, tanned and relaxed, he told us he'd been away with Carol. He explained they had found comfort in each other's company and that they felt it was right to tell us. I was in shock. My wife did all the talking. All I could hear was Mum, in my head, scoffing: 'Carol? Dad and Carol? No.' The next time Dad came over, Carol was with him. She had always been around, yet suddenly everything was different. They sat closer to each other than before. Dad looked at her the way he used to look at Mum. And when Carol played with our daughter — her natural ease from raising two of her own — it hit me. Dad was happy. Wasn't that the point? Whether it was because he wanted an extension of Mum to live on in Mum's place, or just have a great companion, I'll never know. Dad was happy and that was all that mattered. • Drink coffee, tell jokes, read, nap — how to cut your risk of dementia Five years later, Mum is still here, though bedbound, unable to move or recognise any of us. Twice a week she gets visits from not one but two of her best friends: Dad and Carol. They care for her as a husband and a best friend would. They talk about Mum all the time, reminiscing about their memories together. Dad's attention sometimes drifts in the absence of Carol, and I know he's thinking about Mum. I have two daughters now, and one is an absolute double of my mum — Dad comments on it all the time. Carol smiles when he does. They both love and miss Mum just as much as I do. I'm not denying the fact that there have been uncomfortable moments. When Dad and Carol cleared out Mum's wardrobe, he brought a bag of her hats, scarves and handbags for my wife. I bristled. It felt too soon — she was still alive. But the truth is, she's never going to wear them again. She's not coming back. Without Carol, Dad would have been lonely, eating microwave meals for one, sitting by Mum's bedside having a one-way conversation. That's no life. If Dad had met a stranger, it would have been harder to accept. But Carol? Someone who had loved Mum too? It made sense. At first, friends and family were intrigued, full of questions. Some expected us to be upset, to reject Carol. We never felt that way. And as time passed, we realised this situation wasn't so unusual. It's common, in fact. One of my colleagues had family friends in an identical situation, and I've heard of many more too. People gravitate towards those they trust, those who understand their grief, those who are just as lonely but share the same experiences and values. And why shouldn't they? • Don't let age or dementia steal the right to a sex life Life doesn't follow the rules we expect. Grief and happiness can exist side by side, intertwined like the past and present. And if I've learnt anything, it's this — sometimes, the best way to honour someone you love is to keep living.
