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Police Officers Accused of Assaulting 92-Year-Old Man

5/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Two Sussex police officers, PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto, faced allegations of assaulting 92-year-old Donald Burgess, a disabled man, during a tense June 2022 incident at a care home. The officers deployed pepper spray and a Taser after Burgess brandished a knife. Tragically, he passed away 22 days later due to COVID-19 complications.

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Story summary

Two Sussex police officers, PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto, faced allegations of assaulting 92-year-old Donald Burgess, a disabled man, during a tense June 2022 incident at a care home. The officers deployed pepper spray and a Taser after Burgess brandished a knife. Tragically, he passed away 22 days later due to COVID-19 complications.