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Police 'may have contributed to death' of one-legged dementia sufferer, 92, by Tasering him over a butter knife

From the Newshound archive · first published 24 September 2026 · last updated 25 September 2026.

Donald Burgess, the 92-year-old one-legged dementia sufferer who died 22 days after being pepper-sprayed and Tasered over a butter knife, having contracted Covid in hospital.
Donald Burgess, the 92-year-old one-legged dementia sufferer who died 22 days after being pepper-sprayed and Tasered over a butter knife, having contracted Covid in hospital.
Donald Burgess at his care home, where Sussex Police officers pepper-sprayed and Tasered him after he prodded another pensioner with a butter knife and refused to put it down.
Donald Burgess at his care home, where Sussex Police officers pepper-sprayed and Tasered him after he prodded another pensioner with a butter knife and refused to put it down.

Donald Burgess, a one-legged, 92-year-old dementia sufferer, died 22 days after officers pepper-sprayed and Tasered him in his care home over a small serrated knife he had used to prod another resident. An inquest has heard the officers' actions may have contributed to his death by causing physiological stress. His family's lawyer told the hearing the officers shouted and screamed at Burgess as he sat motionless in his wheelchair, and Tasered him before he could speak.

After the Tasering, Burgess groaned 'I'm dying' — he was then handcuffed, arrested and driven to a police station.

His care home refused to take him back after hospitalisation, leaving him stranded on a ward where he contracted Covid-19 and suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.

Officers PC Smith and PC Comotto had been called after Burgess flicked food at a care worker and refused to drop a butter knife he had used to prod a fellow resident.

MoreThe TelegraphOfficers who Tasered dementia patient ‘may have contributed to his death’ - The TelegraphDaily MailPolice officers who Tasered and pepper-sprayed one-legged dementia sufferer, 92, in care home may have contributed to his death, inquest hearsThe SunCops who pepper-sprayed & Tasered amputee 'may have contributed to his death' - The SunAOL.co.ukOne-legged man, 92, tasered by police in care home before death - AOL.co.ukgbnews.comPolice who pepper-sprayed pensioner, 92, over butter knife 'may have contributed to his death'
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