(mentions CMT) Police assumed that ill woman was drunk

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Police assumed that ill woman was drunk

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4009666.ece

A mother who suffers from a serious brain illness was wrongly

arrested and put in cells by police – because they assumed she was

drunk (Steve Bird writes).

Lorraine Parkin, a 37-year-old mother of three, from Swinton, near

Salford, Greater Manchester, was stopped as she got into her car by

police. Despite explaining that she suffered from Huntington's

Disease and Charcot Marie Tooth disease, Ms Parkin had her car keys

confiscated and was taken to a police station for questioning.

Ms Parkin, who does not drink, called for the police to be trained on

how to deal with people with disabilities. She said: " I have never

felt so humiliated. "

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: " The officers requested a

breath test kit, to help confirm the woman's account. However, none

was available for use at the roadside at that time. "