Northern Ireland

Police Ombudsman closes case into PSNI involvement in woman's fall

The Police Ombudsman has closed a case which was investigating the exact involvement of the PSNI in the fall of a woman who suffered 12 broken ribs, a broken back and a broken elbow.
The Police Ombudsman has closed a case which was investigating the exact involvement of the PSNI in the fall of a woman who suffered 12 broken ribs, a broken back and a broken elbow. The Police Ombudsman has closed a case which was investigating the exact involvement of the PSNI in the fall of a woman who suffered 12 broken ribs, a broken back and a broken elbow.

The Police Ombudsman has closed a case which was investigating whether a PSNI officer had a role in the fall of a woman who suffered 12 broken ribs, a broken back and a broken elbow.

The woman, who also suffered respiratory failure, underwent surgery and required treatment in intensive care during a hospital stay of almost a month, suffered the injuries at her home in Strabane in December 2016.

The woman claimed that a police officer had pushed her down stairs after coming to the house to arrest her son.

However, the officer denied the claim, saying he had tried to get past the woman on the stairs as her son fled from police and any contact was accidental.

Officers told investigators the woman was intoxicated and verbally abusive.

Investigations by Ombudsman staff found no evidence to determine the exact circumstances of the fall.

A Police Ombudsman spokesman said:"With no evidential grounds to confirm either account the case was closed with no recommendation for disciplinary action".