Use of Taser on 92-year-old Donald Burgess was viable, court told
A police officer who Tasered a 92-year-old amputee who threatened to stab care home staff acted within her training, a court has heard.PCs Rachel Comotto and Stephen Smith are accused of using excessive force on Donald Burgess at a home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, in June 2022.Jurors previously heard how Mr Burgess, who had one leg and used a wheelchair, was sprayed in the face, struck with a baton and Tasered within 83 seconds of officers entering his room.Ian Mills, a use of force expert, told Southwark Crown Court on Friday that using the Taser after other options had failed was a "viable action" and not something he would criticise.
Mr Mills told jurors the situation had reached the point where "all the other options have failed" and using a Taser provided a rapid resolution.Asked by PC Comotto's barrister, Colin Banham, whether it would have been acceptable for officers to leave Mr Burgess alone with the knife, he said: "That would be criticised."
Mr Mills explained that the short Taser burst delivered by PC Comotto was within protocol, and her actions to disarm Mr Burgess and provide reassurance afterwards aligned with her training.He noted that PC Comotto had shouted "Taser, Taser" as required and had pressed and released the trigger within the standard five-second window.He added: "(The Taser) gives off an audible beep."If the trigger had been held down longer, we would have heard the bleep. The fact we didn't indicates a single, appropriate trigger press."Mr Mills said: "The reassurance was excellent, as was the recovery of the Taser. "That is all part of the training for Taser officers."
He said the only issue raised was PC Comotto giving Mr Burgess water immediately afterwards, which was a "common misconception" among officers because it can further inflame the effects of the Pava spray."Other than the use of water, everything else was in line with training," he said.
PC Smith, 51, denies two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to his use of Pava spray and a baton.PC Comotto, 36, denies one count for discharging her Taser.Mr Burgess was taken to hospital after being arrested.He contracted Covid-19 and died 22 days later. The PCs are not accused of being responsible for his death.The trial continues.Additional reporting from PA Media
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