Pensioners manhandled by police in cuts protest

Shocking pictures have emerged from the moments when police arrested and reportedly manhandled a pensioner as he took part in a protest at a Sheffield railway station.

Officers from the British Transport Police arrested 65 year old Tony Nuttall and later charged him with fare evasion and obstructing police.

Bystanders were horrified as Mr Nuttall was handcuffed and dragged across the platform.  A Daily Mail report tells of witnesses shouting, "Leave him alone" and "What are you doing to him? He's an old man – let him go, just talk to him".

Mr Nuttall was apprehended along with 64 year old George Arthur, who was one of a number of five people protesting against cuts to travel passes in South Yorkshire.

The protestors took a 'freedom ride' from Meadowhall train station to nearby Sheffield, boarding the train without paying before staging a 'peaceful protest' on the platform.

Organised by campaigners, the Barnsley Retirees Action Group and Sheffield Disabled People Against Cuts, one of the group's protestors passed out on the platform and an ambulance was called.

Protests were sparked following local authority spending cuts including the removal of concessionary rail fares, discontinued bus services and the banning of free travel within peak hours.

Speaking of his ordeal, George said, "It was extremely uncomfortable and absolutely unnecessary.  The police officers eventually wrestled me to the floor. I am now going to the doctors because my back is very sore.  I have problems with my spine anyway and my wrists are very sore because the handcuffs were too tight".

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