A former police officer has denied causing grievous bodily harm while carrying out a citizens arrest. Lorne Castle, 47, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court on Wednesday, pleading not guilty to seriously injuring Daniel Meyrick in Bournemouth last June.
The incident occurred outside the Castlepoint shopping centre in Bournemouth, Dorset, on 19 June last year. Castle, who had left his role as a Dorset Police constable two weeks earlier, was pictured detaining a suspected shoplifter outside a Nike store, pinning him to the ground with his arm locked behind his back.
Prosecutor Kathleen O’Callaghan told the court that Mr Meyrick suffered a fractured hip requiring surgery and pins. She alleged that Castle maintained his hold for 20 to 30 minutes, despite the injury. Castle also sustained some injuries during the altercation.
Castle, wearing a black suit and tie, confirmed his name, address, and date of birth, and denied the charge. He was granted bail with a condition not to contact Mr Meyrick. He is next due to appear at Reading Crown Court on 23 June.
