Police wrongly arrested a man who has been paralysed down one side of his body for 18 years on suspicion of strangling someone. Lee Ramsden, 54, was taken into custody after an early-morning raid on his home in Bolton last Thursday. He said he could not believe it when police ignored his disability, which he has had since a fall nearly two decades ago.
What happened during the arrest
Explaining the incident, Ramsden said: 'I just got up at half-six, I just made a coffee, I sat back down and a policewoman was at the window.' Officers handcuffed him and placed him in the back of a police van before transporting him to the station. He added: 'The van stopped and they said "we've got the wrong person; it's not him". Then they just turned round and said "We've got some good news for you, you're going back home".'
Impact on the victim
Ramsden said: 'I was shook up over it. It was terrible. I was scared to fall because I'm disabled.' The ordeal left him frightened and distressed, particularly given his physical vulnerability.
Police response
Greater Manchester Police said they had been called to a violent incident at 6.13am on June 4. A spokesperson stated: 'Following initial enquiries, officers were provided with a name, address and photograph believed to be linked to the suspect. This information was subsequently found to be inaccurate. Acting in good faith on the information available at the time, officers attended the address and arrested an individual at 6.34am.'
They added: 'At 7.09am, it became clear that the detained individual was not the person sought. He was de-arrested promptly and returned to his home address. The correct suspect was later identified, arrested and taken into custody. We have been in contact with the man since the incident to address any concerns.' The force said they had followed due process for arresting someone with disabilities.
