Police put boy, 11, who had epileptic fit in leg restraints

POLICE placed an epileptic boy in handcuffs and leg restraints, the High Court heard, as a judge raised concerns about his treatment.

Mr Justice Macdonald said the 11-year-old, who has a range of behavioural difficulties, was carried to an ambulance and kept in handcuffs and leg restraints until he arrived at a hospital.

When ruling on his care, the judge voiced concern about how the “slight” and “highly disturbed” boy was handcuffed and placed in leg restraints by police for an “extended period”.

Police removed the restraints so that he could walk into the hospital but he was kept in handcuffs until he calmed down.

The judge said that on the day in March, carers for the boy had had to place him in “holds” four times before he arrived at his school, because of difficulties with his behaviour. His behaviour “escalated considerably” when he arrived at the school and “further holds were applied”, said the judge.

While being held, he suffered a seizure and paramedics were called. Police then handcuffed the boy and fitted leg restraints.

Mr Justice Macdonald said police had “plainly” found the episode “trying and frustrating” and felt it was “not their job” to deal with the situation and that care professionals involved were “mishandling” the incident.

The judge analysed the case at a recent private hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London, and concluded that the boy should go into long-term council care.

He said that social services bosses at Barking & Dagenham Council in London had responsibilities for his welfare.