Police use baton on drunk man

Police used a baton on a drunk man, arguing over a taxi fare, when pepper spray failed to subdue him.

Officers were called to Highbury in Birkenhead, Auckland, at 4.30pm yesterday to deal with a dispute involving the well-built man and the taxi driver. He then allegedly threatened police with a liquor bottle he was carrying.

The man was arrested and taken to Auckland Hospital by ambulance as a precaution.

He was not badly hurt, police said, but he is likely to face charges.