Ex-PC 'fractured hip' of suspected shoplifter

A former police officer fractured the hip of a suspected shoplifter when he pinned the man to the ground, a court has heard.

Lorne Castle, 47, denies a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Daniel Meyrick at Castlepoint Shopping Centre in Bournemouth, Dorset, in June 2025, Reading magistrates were told.

Meyrick was held down for 20 to 30 minutes and later required surgery, the court was told.

Castle, who had left Dorset Police about two weeks before the incident, was bailed to appear at Reading Crown Court on 23 June.

Kathleen O'Callaghan, prosecuting, said Meyrick "suffered a fractured hip which required surgery, pins inserted" in the altercation with Castle on 19 June.

The former police constable was also injured during the incident, the court heard.

Castle was bailed with a condition of not contacting his alleged victim.