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.