Officer who assaulted partner may lose job

A policeman who was found guilty in New Plymouth District Court of assaulting his former fiancee may lose his job because of the conviction

John Michael Galvin, of New Plymouth's traffic alcohol group, was convicted and discharged without further penalty on Friday on three counts of assaulting his former partner, Calla Walters, a nurse, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

The court was told that in one assault, Galvin had grabbed her around the throat and flung her to the ground after they argued when she did not want him to go out.

Defence counsel Patrick Mooney said the conviction would put Galvin's employment "in significant jeopardy".

Judge Allan Roberts said the convictions were penalty enough because the defendant's job in the police was now at risk.

New Plymouth area commander Inspector Fiona Prestidge said the officer had been suspended since the matter was first reported in March last year and remained suspended until employment matters were considered.

- NZPA