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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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A policeman punched a
young man in the stomach, took him back to Manukau police station and beat
him again, then fined him $400, the Papakura District Court was told
yesterday. The claims came during
day two of a defended hearing into allegations that Senior Sergeant Anthony
Solomona of the Manukau-Wiri police assaulted three young men in separate
incidents in February and March last year. Solomona faces five
charges of assault and one of assault with a weapon. He denies the
allegations. Robert Southon, the
second complainant, told Judge Bruce Davidson he went to a party in South
Auckland in February last year. As he left for another party, Mr Southon
moved his car on the street, and accidentally cut off another vehicle. He exchanged words with
the other driver, but then forgot about the near-miss. Mr Southon returned a
short time later and found police, including Solomona, looking for him. The driver he had cut
off was an off-duty policeman who reported the incident to Solomona, his
boss. Solomona allegedly questioned Mr Southon about his driving, then took
him down the street and assaulted him. "I was told to
stop ******* lying, then I was hit in the stomach. He was very aggressive. He
told me to get on my knees with my hands behind my back." Solomona then took Mr
Southon to an interview room at Manukau police station where he was told to
get "warmed up" for a fight, then Solomona punched him "10 or
15 times" in the chest and stomach. Though he admitted
having been drinking that night, Mr Southon was not asked for a blood or
breath sample, nor was he read his rights, or cautioned. Mr Southon received a
$400 traffic infringement notice for "driving contrary to the conditions
of a driver's licence". He had to pay $400 to free his impounded car. Dr David Chan said that
bruising on Mr Southon's body was consistent with punches from a gloved hand.
Solomona was allegedly wearing gloves at the time of the assault. Under cross-examination
by Solomona's lawyer, John Haigh, QC, Dr Chan conceded it was possible the
bruising could have been inflicted when Mr Southon was playing rugby. The off-duty constable,
Scott Baker, told the court he had reported the near-crash to Solomona, who
visited him, then took him to look for Mr Southon. When they found him,
Solomona allegedly told Mr Baker to wait up the road. Mr Baker later saw Mr
Southon kneeling on the ground, handcuffed. He told the court he
never saw Solomona hit Mr Southon. The third complainant
is to give evidence today. The hearing is set down for two weeks. |
