Senior cop bashed up man over near-miss, court told

A policeman punched a young man in the stomach, took him back to Manukau police station and beat him again, then fined him $400, the Papakura District Court was told yesterday.

The claims came during day two of a defended hearing into allegations that Senior Sergeant Anthony Solomona of the Manukau-Wiri police assaulted three young men in separate incidents in February and March last year.

Solomona faces five charges of assault and one of assault with a weapon. He denies the allegations.

Robert Southon, the second complainant, told Judge Bruce Davidson he went to a party in South Auckland in February last year. As he left for another party, Mr Southon moved his car on the street, and accidentally cut off another vehicle.

He exchanged words with the other driver, but then forgot about the near-miss. Mr Southon returned a short time later and found police, including Solomona, looking for him.

The driver he had cut off was an off-duty policeman who reported the incident to Solomona, his boss. Solomona allegedly questioned Mr Southon about his driving, then took him down the street and assaulted him.

"I was told to stop ******* lying, then I was hit in the stomach. He was very aggressive. He told me to get on my knees with my hands behind my back."

Solomona then took Mr Southon to an interview room at Manukau police station where he was told to get "warmed up" for a fight, then Solomona punched him "10 or 15 times" in the chest and stomach.

Though he admitted having been drinking that night, Mr Southon was not asked for a blood or breath sample, nor was he read his rights, or cautioned.

Mr Southon received a $400 traffic infringement notice for "driving contrary to the conditions of a driver's licence". He had to pay $400 to free his impounded car.

Dr David Chan said that bruising on Mr Southon's body was consistent with punches from a gloved hand. Solomona was allegedly wearing gloves at the time of the assault.

Under cross-examination by Solomona's lawyer, John Haigh, QC, Dr Chan conceded it was possible the bruising could have been inflicted when Mr Southon was playing rugby.

The off-duty constable, Scott Baker, told the court he had reported the near-crash to Solomona, who visited him, then took him to look for Mr Southon.

When they found him, Solomona allegedly told Mr Baker to wait up the road. Mr Baker later saw Mr Southon kneeling on the ground, handcuffed.

He told the court he never saw Solomona hit Mr Southon.

The third complainant is to give evidence today. The hearing is set down for two weeks.