Alzheimer’s sufferer Tasered by police
A GREAT-granddad with advanced Alzheimer's was Tasered by police in a nursing home – for carrying a butter knife.
Nursing home staff dialled 999 out of fear that David Litherland, 73, was about to attack someone.
His horrified wife Theresa, 62, arrived at the nursing home to find a police officer had tried to fire the weapon at her husband.
Mrs Litherland said: “He wasn't dangerous, he was just agitated as I call it. They know he always carried cutlery in his pocket and this time was no different.
“I did say to the policeman what did you think he was going to do to you?
“Obviously, with his Alzheimer's, David hadn't any idea what happened and thought he was fine straight after – but he's still in hospital.”
Mr Litherland was rushed to hospital after he hit his head during the incident in which a police officer attempted to fire 50,000 volts into his chest. The Taser fired by the officer – who had no knowledge of the pensioner's medical condition – did not deliver its electric shock.
Staff at The Gables in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, called an ambulance for Mr Litherland after he showed signs of aggression at lunchtime, but the police were called to the scene.
Mr Litherland, who also has two brain tumours, is still in hospital recovering from the head injuries he suffered during the incident.
Mrs Litherland, from Sparkhill, Birmingham, said: “David was eating lunch when he started acting aggressively. It could've been caused by him feeling unwell or frustrated because he can't process his emotions.
“I got a call asking me to come to help and when I got there I saw the police going in too.
“They asked David three times to take his hands out of his pocket. When he eventually did, he produced the butter knife and they fired a Taser at him.”
She explained: “He was getting too much for me at home so we moved him out to The Gables.
“This is the first time police have ever been called to him, so I can't believe they pulled a Taser on him.
“I'm really grateful to the ambulance people who stayed with David.
“We are now looking for a new nursing home and are waiting for a list of the ones nearby to come through.”
West Midlands Police said officers found David aggressive and in possession of a knife.
A spokesman said: “As they approached he threatened them. They deployed a Taser so he could be safely restrained.”
Care home owner Sarj Bisla said: “We called the ambulance, told them his medical history and that he had a knife. They must have informed the police. The officers who came didn't know about David's illness.”