KEY POINTS:
A man pepper sprayed during a protest in Rotorua is waiting to hear whether his fight for compensation from police has been successful.
Simon Oosterman is seeking $50,000 for assault and breach of his rights.
He was pepper sprayed during a protest at Forest Research, now Scion, on January 30, 2005.
A three-day hearing was held in April and was adjourned until yesterday for Mr Oosterman's lawyer Graeme Minchin and a lawyer appearing for the police, Chris Curran, to make closing submissions.
Judge Chris McGuire reserved his decision.
The court had previously heard that Mr Oosterman, of Auckland, was part of a protest organised by the Rotorua GE Free group against genetically modified trees.
He was pepper sprayed by Rotorua police officer Constable Blair Yockney after trying to help a friend who was being arrested.
Mr Minchin said Mr Oosterman's rights had been breached.
"The treatment was disproportionately severe ... it is conduct that would outrage the average citizen," he said.
Mr Curran said the force used on Mr Oosterman by the police officers was justified.
- NZPA
