By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-06 15:15:46 | Updated at 2026-10-06 16:28:47
1 hour ago
Two Sussex Police officers who used excessive force on an amputee pension have been sacked, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed.
PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto had been subject to an IOPC disciplinary hearing, which reached its conclusion today.
On June 21, 2022, the officers raced to Park Beck Residential Care Home in East Sussex after Donald Burgess, an amputee and dementia patient, flicked his food at a healthcare worker and refused to put down the dull blade.
The pair had "shouted" at the pensioner, before the situation escalated and the officers began "screaming" at the elderly man.
He was then struck in the arm by PC Smith with a baton, before the officer unleashed an entire can of pepper spray into Mr Burgess's face.
PC Comotto then fired her taser into the 92-year-old's chest, with the pensioner heard saying "I'm dying" as he was left in agony.
He was then cuffed and taken out of the care home, before being hauled into a police station by the officers.
After being released, he was rushed to hospital in an ambulance and Mr Burgess later died on July 13.
Both PC Smith and PC Comotto were cleared of assault charges at Southwark Crown Court last year
A pathologist confirmed that the officers' actions did not cause or contribute to the pensioner's death.
The post-mortem examination concluded that Mr Burgess died of "bronchial pneumonia with cardiac disease".
A police disciplinary panel has today found that PC Smith and PC Comotto breached the police standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force, discreditable conduct, and authority, respect and courtesy.
IOPC director of engagement Emily Barry said: “Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family of Donald Burgess.
The 92-year-old was struck in the arm by PC Smith with a baton, before the officer unleashed an entire can of pepper spray into his face
"We know that footage of this incident showing the force used by the officers on Mr Burgess has caused widespread concern and anger.
“This was not a fast-paced incident where the officers or other care home residents were in immediate danger. Mr Burgess, who was wheelchair bound and holding a cutlery knife, was isolated from other residents and clearly posed little risk to the officers."
Ms Barry said any force deployed by the officers should have been "a last resort and only used when necessary".
She continued: "Rather than de-escalating the situation they immediately threatened Mr Burgess with force and then discharged PAVA spray, struck him with a baton and Tasered him when he didn’t drop the knife.
“Their actions were clearly excessive and unreasonable and PC Comotto then displayed further poor judgement by joking about Tasering Mr Burgess on social media afterwards.
“Their actions have damaged the public’s trust and confidence in policing and they have been held accountable and dismissed from policing.”
The IOPC launched their investigation into the officers after receiving a voluntary referral from the force, which concluded six months later.
The watchdog handed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service in June 2023.
Both PC Smith and PC Comotto were cleared of assault charges at Southwark Crown Court last year.
