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Officer who Tasered man covered in petrol will not face charges Officer who Tasered man covered in petrol will not face charges
(about 2 hours later)
A police officer who Tasered a man who caught fire and died because he was doused in petrol will not face criminal charges. A police officer who Tasered a man who then caught fire and died because he was doused in petrol will not face criminal charges.
Andrew Pimlott, who suffered fatal burns when he was hit by the stun gun in Plymouth in April 2013, had poured petrol over himself and was holding a lit match at the time.Andrew Pimlott, who suffered fatal burns when he was hit by the stun gun in Plymouth in April 2013, had poured petrol over himself and was holding a lit match at the time.
The Crown Prosecution Service has said there is not enough evidence to charge the officer who fired the weapon, because he was trying to save his life. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was not enough evidence to charge the officer who fired the weapon, because he was trying to save the man’s life.
Pimlott had breached a restraining order by going to a house in the city, and while in the back garden he poured a jerry can of petrol over himself, before striking a match.Pimlott had breached a restraining order by going to a house in the city, and while in the back garden he poured a jerry can of petrol over himself, before striking a match.
One of the officers called to the scene decided to use his Taser, causing Pimlott to catch fire, suffering severe burns which were to prove fatal.One of the officers called to the scene decided to use his Taser, causing Pimlott to catch fire, suffering severe burns which were to prove fatal.
Prosecutors had considered charges of manslaughter by gross negligence, or misconduct in public office.Prosecutors had considered charges of manslaughter by gross negligence, or misconduct in public office.
Sally Walsh, a senior lawyer in the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The evidence suggests that this was a fast-moving incident with events unfolding suddenly and in near darkness.Sally Walsh, a senior lawyer in the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The evidence suggests that this was a fast-moving incident with events unfolding suddenly and in near darkness.
“From the police approach to the garden to the petrol igniting, the entire incident took less than 41 seconds.“From the police approach to the garden to the petrol igniting, the entire incident took less than 41 seconds.
“Having considered the evidence, we determined that although it could be shown that the officer owed Mr Pimlott a duty of care, there is insufficient evidence that the duty was breached.“Having considered the evidence, we determined that although it could be shown that the officer owed Mr Pimlott a duty of care, there is insufficient evidence that the duty was breached.
“In the circumstances, we took the view that a jury would be more likely than not to accept that the officer held a reasonable and genuine fear for both Mr Pimlott’s safety and his own.“In the circumstances, we took the view that a jury would be more likely than not to accept that the officer held a reasonable and genuine fear for both Mr Pimlott’s safety and his own.
“Whilst we cannot know whether Mr Pimlott intended to set himself alight, seeing him douse himself in petrol and holding what appeared to be a lighted match, it was reasonable for the officer to conclude that he intended to.“Whilst we cannot know whether Mr Pimlott intended to set himself alight, seeing him douse himself in petrol and holding what appeared to be a lighted match, it was reasonable for the officer to conclude that he intended to.
“It appears from the evidence that the officer did the best he could in what were clearly very difficult circumstances and that he was faced with a choice of either standing back to allow Mr. Pimlott to set himself alight or taking the somewhat lesser risk of applying the Taser in an effort to stop him doing so.” “It appears from the evidence that the officer did the best he could in what were clearly very difficult circumstances and that he was faced with a choice of either standing back to allow Mr Pimlott to set himself alight or taking the somewhat lesser risk of applying the Taser in an effort to stop him doing so.”
She said that the use of a Taser in these circumstances was not banned by police guidelines and that the officer was trying to save Pimlott’s life, therefore there was not enough evidence to bring a charge of misconduct in public office.She said that the use of a Taser in these circumstances was not banned by police guidelines and that the officer was trying to save Pimlott’s life, therefore there was not enough evidence to bring a charge of misconduct in public office.
The 32-year-old’s death is one of a number of controversial cases involving the use of stun guns by police.The 32-year-old’s death is one of a number of controversial cases involving the use of stun guns by police.
They also include blind pensioner Colin Farmer who was hit with the weapon in Chorley, Lancashire, when an officer mistook his white stick for a Samurai sword.They also include blind pensioner Colin Farmer who was hit with the weapon in Chorley, Lancashire, when an officer mistook his white stick for a Samurai sword.
In 2012, James McCarthy suffered a heart attack after he was hit twice with a Taser at a hotel in Liverpool and is now suing Merseyside police.In 2012, James McCarthy suffered a heart attack after he was hit twice with a Taser at a hotel in Liverpool and is now suing Merseyside police.
And in December 2013, a teenage boy with complex learning difficulties was Tasered in the grounds of a special school owned by the exclusive Priory Group - Chelfham Senior School near Plymouth. And in December 2013, a teenage boy with complex learning difficulties was Tasered in the grounds of a special school owned by the exclusive Priory Group - Chelfham Senior school near Plymouth.
Since 2004 there have also been two cases where people with epilepsy have been Tasered - one of whom was already having a seizure, and one of whom began having one after being struck.Since 2004 there have also been two cases where people with epilepsy have been Tasered - one of whom was already having a seizure, and one of whom began having one after being struck.