Lawyer: 'Face of looting' unlikely to complain

Cornelius Arie Smith-Voorkamp. Photo / Supplied

A young autistic man who became "the face of looting" in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake is unlikely to lay a complaint over a beating he alleges he received from the arresting officers.

Cornelius Arie Smith-Voorkamp, 25, has a mental disability that compels him to take light fixtures, and he was arrested for stealing two light bulbs and an antique light fitting from a quake-damaged home.

Lawyer Simon Buckingham claims Mr Smith-Voorkamp was beaten by two police officers and taunted by soldiers - but yesterday he told the Herald his client wouldn't be laying a complaint immediately.

Police met both men and a relative of Mr Smith-Voorkamp's on Tuesday night.

Mr Buckingham said the interview was done sensitively and there was no suggestion the matter wasn't being taken seriously, but it was unlikely he would make a complaint for two reasons.

"I'm convinced it happened, there's no question, but the stress levels [involved with making a complaint] ... He wouldn't be able to cope."

More importantly, Mr Smith-Voorkamp did not want to detract from the excellent job police were doing in Christchurch.

"The one thing he doesn't want is for police to be bagged at a time they need the New Zealand public behind them."

However he did not rule out a complaint being made at a later date.

Mr Buckingham said police could conduct their own investigation without a complaint being made but that was unlikely to happen.

A police spokeswoman said no investigation was planned.