An American-born medical officer has appeared in court for allegedly pepper-spraying a man during an altercation at an Auckland petrol station.
John William Hinchcliff stopped at Caltex service station on Broadway in Newmarket at 3pm last Friday.
He had a verbal altercation on the forecourt with a man known to him, during which he allegedly took a can of pepper spray from his car and sprayed the victim three times before driving away, said a police spokeswoman.
Hinchcliff was interviewed and charged with assault with a weapon and possession of a disabling substance.
He appeared at Auckland District Court today and is next scheduled to appear on March 14.
