A DISABLED Strabane pensioner is recovering after the police kicked in her front door before searching her home.

A DISABLED Strabane pensioner is recovering after the police kicked in her front door before searching her home.

Jesse Powell (65) was at home with her pregnant grand-daughter on Wednesday morning when police called at her Ballycolman home looking for another family member. Despite being told that he did not live there, police forced their way in, causing extensive damage to the door frame and a wall.


The pensioner, who suffers from a range of serious health problems, ended up on the ground as police officers searched the property. After finding nothing they left but vowed to return armed with a search warrant.

Ms Powell said she has been left badly shaken by the ordeal and has called on the PSNI to explain their actions.

She told the Strabane Chronicle, “I was laying on the sofa at 10.50am when the police came to door. I sleep in the living room because I can’t get up the stairs anymore.

“I asked them through the window what they wanted and they said they had a warrant to arrest my grandson Stephen. I told them he didn’t live here and hadn’t lived here for a long time.

“So they went to his mother’s house but then arrived back here. They asked again to get in and I said I wanted to see the warrant.

“They said they didn’t need one and that they could do whatever they wanted.

“Then they told me I had three seconds to let them in but as I got up the front door burst open. I was completely shocked and I ended up falling over in the hallway.

“They never explained what they were at and they searched the whole house. When I told them it was my property and they needed a warrant they left. But they said they would be back with a warrant,” Ms Powell said.

The 65-year-old needs around the clock care for emphysema and arthritis. Her family have since contacted the Police Ombudsman about the officers’ behaviour.

Responding to the claims made by the woman and her family, the PSNI confirmed that the raid had been carried out on foot of a court-issued warrant.

With regard to the conduct of officers, a spokesperson said, “Anyone who has a complaint to make about the conduct of a police officers should contact the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.”