Policeman guilty of punching prisoner

File photo / NZ Herald

A Taranaki policeman has been found guilty of punching a handcuffed prisoner in the face.

The officer, who has interim name suppression, was found guilty in New Plymouth District Court yesterday of common assault in January, but the reserved decision was only released yesterday by Judge Max Courtney, The Taranaki Daily News reported.

Judge Courtney said there were several reasons for the delay in releasing the decision.

The assault occurred on February 4 last year in the outside caged area of the court.

The officer punched prisoner David William Scadden after he became difficult when he was being forced into the back of a police van to be taken to prison after being given a three year jail sentence for a home invasion.

Scadden was wearing a waist restraint with handcuffs attached.

Judge Courtney said there was no justification for the use of force.

The officer has remained on full pay since being charged with the assault.

New Plymouth police chief Inspector Blair Telford said the officer's future would depend on the outcome of his sentencing on June 14.

- NZPA