Cop who peppersprayed cyclist to face trial

Photo / NZH

A Nelson police officer is to stand trial after allegedly pepperspraying a cyclist who was not wearing a helmet and ramming him with his police car.

Senior Constable Garry Dunn, 45, who has denied two counts of assaulting chef Shaun Robert Ian Taylor, was committed for trial following a two day depositions hearing in Nelson District Court.

Mr Taylor told the court he was riding home when Dunn asked him to get off his bike because he was not wearing a helmet, The Nelson Mail reported.

When Mr Taylor was caught riding again minutes later an argument ensued and Dunn peppersprayed him.

Later, when Dunn saw Mr Taylor on his bike again, he did a U-turn, mounted the footpath and rammed him into a bank, Mr Taylor said.

Dunn's lawyer Garry Barkle said Mr Taylor had been resisting arrest when he was peppersprayed.

Nelson Bays area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said Dunn had been stood down from duty on full pay.

- NZPA