Man jailed for biting officer's arm

An Otumoetai man who shoulder-charged a constable and viciously bit a chunk out of his left forearm when the officer intervened after the man started abusing a taxi driver has been jailed for nine months.

The officer was treated at Tauranga Hospital for a bite wound above his left wrist and a scratch on his arm. He will need regular blood tests for a year to ensure he has not contracted any diseases.

His female colleague also suffered grazes to both knees when Scott Rangitakatu, 25, struggled violently and kicked out at both officers after his arrest on November 22, following the aggressive and abusive incident in Ngatai Rd.

The assaults occurred despite Rangitakatu twice being offered a ride home by the male constable. He resisted violently as the officers tried to handcuff him and continued to struggle even after being brought to the ground, the court was told

He then pulled his handcuffed hand towards his face and latched on to the male officer's forearm, biting him just above his left wrist. Rangitakatu did not let go until the female officer hit him in the face.

Members of the public assisted the officers.