A former Dorset Police officer has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm after intervening to detain a suspected shoplifter. Lorne Castle, aged 47, is accused of seriously injuring Daniel Meyrick during an altercation outside the Castlepoint shopping centre in Bournemouth, Dorset, on June 19 last year.
Incident details
The incident occurred approximately two weeks after Castle had left his role as a Police Constable with Dorset Police. Witnesses reported seeing him pinning the individual to the ground during the confrontation. Following an investigation conducted by Thames Valley Police, the Crown Prosecution Service charged Castle with one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, under section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Court appearance
Castle is scheduled to appear for the first time at Reading Magistrates’ Court on May 27 to face the charge. The case has drawn attention due to the former officer's professional background and the circumstances of the alleged assault.
Daniel Meyrick, the suspected shoplifter, sustained serious injuries as a result of the incident, which has since been the subject of a thorough police inquiry. The charge reflects the legal system's scrutiny of actions taken by individuals, even those with law enforcement experience, when they are not acting in an official capacity.
