Former Dorset police officer Lorne Castle appeared in Reading Magistrates Court on 19 June 2025 to contest a GBH charge stemming from a citizen’s arrest outside Bournemouth’s Castlepoint shopping centre. Prosecutors say his extended hold on suspect Daniel Meyrick caused a broken hip, while Castle maintains his actions were lawful and proportionate.

Castle’s 20‑minute grip leads to Meyrick’s fractured hip

According to the court record, Castle kept Meyrick restrained for somewhere between twenty minutes and half an hour, a duration that witnesses described as “excessive.” The prolonged hold allegedly resulted in a hip fracture that required surgical insertion of metal pins, a fact highlighted by prosecutor Kathleen O’Callaghan as evidence of “serious bodily harm.”

Former PC’s not‑guilty plea and bail conditions

Castle enered a not‑guilty plea at the Reading Magistrates Court, insisting the force used was reasonable and intended solely to prevent theft. The magistrate imposed bail conditions prohibiting any contact with Meyrick pending a full hearing scheduled for 23 June at Reading Crown Court.

Legal analysts warn of precedent for citizen arrests by ex‑officers

Legal experts note that while UK law permits citizens to detain suspects, the use of force must be “reasonable and necessary.” The fact that Castle had left the police service only weeks earlier complicates the debate,as his recent training may blur the line between citizen action and law‑enforcement authority.

Unanswered questions about Castle’s injuries and intent

The court was informed that Castle also suffered minor injuries during the altercation, but details were not disclosed. Additionally, it remains unclear whether Castle’s intent was genuinely protective or if he overstepped the legal limits of a citizen’s arrest.

Potential impact on future prosecutions of citizen arrests

If convicted, Castle’s case could set a benchmark for how courts assess the proportionality of force used by civilians, especially those with recent poicing backgrounds. As the hearing moves to Crown Court, the legal community will watch closely to see whether the prosecution can link the duration of the hold directly to the medical injury.