Conflicting evidence on hammer threat

Conflicting evidence as to whether Stephen Bellingham was wielding a hammer at the police officer who shot him dead in Christchurch was given yesterday at a coroner's inquest.

On the first day of the hearing on Monday five eyewitnesses to the shooting in Stanmore Rd on September 26, 2007 said the policeman, identified only as Officer A, had faced Bellingham, who was charging at him with a claw hammer brandished at head height.

The inquest follows an Independent Police Conduct Authority finding that Officer A had acted in self-defence when confronted by an "aggressive and menacing" Mr Bellingham.

Christchurch coroner Brent Shortland heard yesterday from two witnesses who disagreed on the subject of the raised hammer.

A 31-year-old sickness beneficiary, whose name is suppressed, originally told police he saw the man swinging his arm as he walked to the officer.

But yesterday he said Mr Bellingham never raised the hammer.

However, the second witness said: "His arms were swinging and moving as if he was going to strike the police officer. The hammer was raised above his shoulder." Mr Shortland reserved his finding.

- NZPA