Accused trainee still hopes for police career

A trainee policeman accused of a serious assault after taking part in a routine fingerprinting exercise still hopes to become a fully qualified police officer.

The 31-year-old man, listed as a public servant, showed no emotion when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday to face a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

His lawyer, Jonathan Eaton, told the court the man denied the charge against him.

The accused was granted interim name suppression by Judge Michael Crosbie and was bailed until his next court appearance in a fortnight. The name of his alleged victim was also suppressed yesterday.

The man was into his fourth week of training at the Police College in Porirua when he took part in the fingerprinting exercise.

The prints were entered into the national crime database and were linked to an historic assault case in Christchurch.

Mr Eaton said his client intended to clear his name and return to finish his training. However, he feared that the interest in the case would end any prospect of him being treated favourably by the police.

The Herald yesterday saw the police summary of facts relating to the alleged assault, but police later obtained a court order preventing publication of the details.