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An Invercargill police officer managed to keep hold of a prisoner, despite copping an eyeful of his own pepper spray yesterday.
Prison escort officer Constable Marcus McMahon was walking John Douglas McMurdo, 22, from the court cells to the prisoner transport van about 4pm, The Southland Times reported.
McMurdo had been sentenced to two years and three months' jail on three assault charges involving two women.
Before they reached the vehicle, McMurdo allegedly made a bid for freedom, turning and grabbing at Mr McMahon's throat.
The officer pulled out his pepper spray in an effort to ward off his attacker but McMurdo grabbed it and sprayed it into Mr McMahon's eyes.
However, Mr McMahon was not subdued and managed to wrestle McMurdo into the waiting van. He was then helped by nearby construction workers.
McMahon, who also suffered injuries to his arm and back during the scuffle, then went to the tap behind the courthouse to rinse his eyes.
McMurdo was taken to Invercargill Prison and will be facing further assault charges.
It was the second attack on a police officer at the court in the last month.
On August 8, Constable Todd Utteridge was punched to the ground by burglary and theft-accused Wade James McLaren, 18, as he stood beside him in the dock.
- NZPA
