Man shot with stun gun by Manchester police to sue chief constable

A man who was shot with a stun gun by police in front of his five-year-old son is to sue the chief constable of Greater Manchester police.

Desmond Ziggy Mombeyarara was confronted by officers at a petrol station in Stretford, Manchester, at 11pm on 6 May 2020. A video of the incident, which was circulated widely on social media, shows the 34-year-old being shot with the electronic weapon and slumping to the ground as his child cries and shouts: “Daddy.”

The force referred itself to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, following the incident, as well as to its own professional standards branch.

They said Mombeyarara was stopped by police after allegedly driving over the speed limit. He has since been charged with driving at excess speed, not having vehicle insurance, being unfit to drive through drink and resisting police in the execution of their duty.

Mombeyarara’s solicitor, Terence Channer, from law firm Scott-Moncrieff & Associates Ltd, said: “I am advising Mr Mombeyarara on bringing a civil action against the chief constable of Greater Manchester police for the very troubling use of force in this case.

“The IOPC are currently investigating the incident. I understand [they] have obtained crucial body-worn video footage, CCTV, and mobile phone footage, which they are reviewing. My client and I therefore await the outcome of the IOPC investigation with some interest.”

Mombeyarara is an NHS worker at the Royal Manchester Infirmary. His partner and son’s mother, Beatrice Lovane, died after suffering a fatal reaction to painkillers in August 2016. Her death received national media coverage after a coroner found paramedics failed to provide her with the most basic care and accused her of faking her illness.

In a statement issued through his solicitors, Mombeyarara said: “Beatrice died in disturbing circumstances at the hands of North West ambulance services, also men and women in uniform. This recent incident only reaffirms and reawakens traumatic challenges, past and present, whilst raising serious questions about the disregard for life, involving the same family, at the hands of Greater Manchester service personnel.”

At the time of Mombeyarara’s arrest, Clare Collier, advocacy director at the campaign group Liberty, described the video of him being tasered as “incredibly distressing”.

“The growing use of Tasers will exacerbate the overpolicing of minority and marginalised communities, particularly people of colour, as well as those experiencing mental health issues,” she said.

Rob Potts, assistant chief constable at Greater Manchester police, said: “I voluntarily referred this matter to the IOPC to ensure transparency and independence in terms of reviewing the circumstances of the arrest. At this time the IOPC are independently investigating this matter and as such it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further.”

He added that the force served one of the most culturally diverse areas in the UK. “It is important to us that we demonstrate a commitment to equality, diversity and human rights in order to earn the confidence and trust of all our communities,” he said.

“That trust is a vital element in GMP protecting society and helping keep people safe across all our communities. We are involved in constructive dialogue with community representatives in relation to this incident.”