Police handcuffed man with Alzheimer's at care home
A pensioner who suffers from Alzheimer's was handcuffed by police to restrain him at a care home, it emerged today.
Grandfather-of-two Keith Hyrons, from Kidderminster, was receiving care at Howbury House in Malvern, run by Worcestershire County Council, allowing his wife of 54 years Val to have a break.
However the family, including his children Leighton, 40, and Lara, 44, were shocked when they were told police were called to restrain him using handcuffs as he had 'upset other residents'.
West Mercia Police today defended the use of the handcuffs on the 76-year-old claiming Mr Hyrons had been 'extremely aggressive'.
Mr Hyrons played for Kidderminster Harriers youth team and also turned out and coached for other clubs in Kidderminster. He was a BT engineer for 30 years, based in Kidderminster then Worcester before retiring 20 years ago.
Mrs Hyrons, 74, said: "They said he had been extremely aggressive, but I do not know why the police had to get involved – the mental health team at Kidderminster should have been called.
"He did not know where he was and then to have two police officers go at him and handcuff his arms behind his back, it must have been terrible. I've been married to him for 54 years but now I might not live with him again, it feels like everything has changed because of this, which was only supposed to be me getting respite.
"The whole event has shook him, we have seen him since and although you don't know what he is thinking, he like struggles to walk around now." Inspector Steph Brighton, of West Mercia Police, said: "Officers were called to a care home in Malvern due to concerns about the behaviour of a 76-year-old man who was there for respite.
"Officers were aware he had dementia and other health problems but he was being extremely aggressive and it was necessary to handcuff him to prevent him from harming himself, other residents, and staff. He was subsequently sectioned under the Mental Health Act and moved from the home."
Worcestershire County Council runs the home and authority spokesman Adam Blackmore said it was inappropriate to comment on individual cases, but encouraged anyone with concerns to contact them.
