Cop given black eye in shock attack

A police officer was punched in the head several times after asking a man to dispose of his drink in a no-alcohol zone in Motueka, a court has revealed.

Pauaherua Betham-Puha, 21, appeared before Judge Ruth at Nelson District Court on Monday, after pleading guilty to resisting and assaulting police, as well as escaping from police custody.

Betham-Puha was spotted by Senior Police Constable James Matthews and Constable Joseph Power-Silk walking with a group of men down Motueka High St on Friday, September 2 at 11.10pm.

The officers noticed the group were holding what appeared to be alcohol.

As the area was a zero-alcohol zone, Power-Silk asked Betham-Puha to dispose of his drink.

Betham-Puha started arguing with Power-Silk. He then opened a can of bourbon and coke, drinking from it before pouring the rest at the officer’s feet.

As Power-Silk tried to restrain BethamPuha a struggle ensued, before

an unknown person punched Power-Silk in the back of the head.

Power-Silk told the court he fell to the ground, seeing ‘‘only black.’’ As he came to, he received four more punches to the face and head by Betham-Puha and another unknown man present.

After the assault, Betham-Puha ran off with his friends, leaving the officer with a number of injuries, including a concussion and a black eye.

When spoken to, Betham-Puha said he had two alcoholic drinks on him when stopped by police.

He poured one out and had ‘‘a little scull’’ of the other before pouring it out.

In the police statement of facts, BethamPuha said the officer arrested him for something that should have been a ticket, and was being aggressive and rough when he shoved him against the car.

He said the other man present saw he was being handled aggressively and hit Power-Silk.

Betham-Puha admitted to hitting PowerSilk when he was on the ground before running away.

Judge David Ruth warned him the incident was extremely serious, with BethamPuha’s starting point being two-years’ imprisonment.

Betham-Puha was referred to restorative justice, and remanded for sentencing in January.