Ex-police officer who tackled suspected shoplifter charged with GBH

A former police officer has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm when he stepped in to detain a suspected shoplifter.

Lorne Castle, 47, is accused of seriously injuring Daniel Meyrick during an altercation outside the Castlepoint shopping centre.

The incident took place in Bournemouth on June 19 last year.

Mr Castle had only left his role as a PC at Dorset Police a few weeks earlier.

He was pictured detaining the suspected shoplifter outside a Nike store, pinning him to the ground with his arm locked behind his back.

The action was described at the time as a “citizen’s arrest”.

Mr Castle was investigated by police following the incident.

He has now been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

According to the charge, brought under section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, the 47-year-old is accused of “unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm” upon the alleged victim.

Mr Castle has been told to appear in the dock for the first time on May 27.