Policeman guilty of pepper-spray assault

A policeman has been found guilty of assaulting a man with pepper spray.

The Masterton officer, who was granted interim name suppression until November 1, had denied assaulting a man in the town.

The attacked man - Ben Viane - was himself accused of assaulting another person earlier on March 12 at a party.

Giving evidence in court, the constable said Mr Viane was intoxicated at the time of the arrest.

His counsel said his client's decision to arrest Mr Viane was appropriate and he should be acquitted.

But the Crown alleged the constable was not justified in using pepper spray to arrest him.

The policeman was fined $500 and ordered to pay $130 costs by Judge Michael Behrens at Wellington District Court.

The decision had been reserved until today after a hearing this month.

- NZPA