Veteran Massachusetts Police Sergeant Faces Assault Charge for Attacking Elderly Neighbor
Hull police Sergeant Scott Saunders, a 19-year veteran of the force, is currently under investigation after being charged with assault and battery for allegedly attacking his 72-year-old neighbor, Harry Horsley. According to the police report, the incident took place in Pembroke on July 24.
As a result of the charge, Sgt. Saunders has been placed on paid administrative leave, with his badge and service weapon confiscated pending the outcome of the case. Hull police Chief John Dunn released a statement on Thursday confirming these measures.
The confrontation occurred when Saunders, 46, was walking along a road in their neighborhood with a paddleboard. Horsley was driving by in his car when he claims Saunders struck his vehicle with the paddleboard. Horsley then stopped, got out of his car, and told responding officers that Saunders punched and pushed him to the ground, subsequently straddling him, as the police report indicates.
The incident was caught on video by a neighbor and shows Horsley suffering a cut to the left side of his face, a bloody nose, swelling, bruising around an eye, and other injuries.
Saunders, on the other hand, informed the police that he had previous disputes with Horsley. He alleges that Horsley did not provide him with enough space as he drove past. According to Saunders, Horsley exited his vehicle, approached him, and raised his hand first.
Saunders now faces charges of assault and battery on a person over 60 years of age but has been granted freedom until his next court appearance.
The Hull Police Department has launched an internal affairs investigation into the matter and has notified the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission, as Chief Dunn revealed.
Efforts to reach Sgt. Saunders for comment have been unsuccessful thus far.
As legal proceedings continue, the authorities will carefully consider the evidence and testimony presented to determine the appropriate course of action regarding the charges against Sgt. Scott Saunders.
