PSNI ‘failings’ over dementia patient injury investigation

The PSNI has been accused of treating an elderly dementia patient and her family with contempt, after a police investigation into unexplained injuries she suffered in a care home, was found to have “significant failings”.

Lily Rawson, who was in her late 70s, endured four separate injuries on different dates in 2019 and 2020, while she was a resident in Bangor Care Home.

A Police Ombudsman’s inquiry has concluded “significant evidential opportunities” were missed by the PSNI team investigating allegations of mistreatment or abuse and recommended disciplining two officers.

The PSNI said it is taking time to review the findings and BBC News NI understands two officers have been disciplined.

However, Lily Rawson’s family has said this response is not good enough.

Her daughter, Alison McEwen, said she had at times felt dismissed by the police and “treated with contempt”.

She said two officers receiving “a slap on the wrist” was an insult to her mother – who died in 2021 – and police had failed a vulnerable woman.

Mrs McEwan has called for the case to be re-opened.

“I would appeal to [Chief Constable] Jon Boutcher, who I consider to be a decent man, that he gives us and gives my mother the investigation she should have had when she was alive,” she said.

“She was entitled to a proper investigation and she wasn’t given it.”

Her call received support from the Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly Justice Committee, DUP MLA Joanne Bunting.

“This case, it honestly will haunt me until the day I die; the details and photographs are disturbing and harrowing,” said Ms Bunting.