Lawyer says Taser claims ‘lies, nonsense’

A woman who made assault claims against an officer has been accused of telling a jury lies and nonsense.

Mary Jane Takerei said Constable Sean Mathew Doak threatened her with a Taser after she was dragged from a car by police in September 2017 following a high-speed chase. He denies the charges. Takerei, whose evidence was briefly suppressed by Judge Noel Sainsbury yesterday, told the Auckland District Court she begged police to stop hurting her as she lay handcuffed in the SkyCity car park.

Doak and Constable Florence Roberts were the first officers on the scene, the court has heard.

Takerei, 23, said Doak pepper sprayed her. “It burned really badly . . . It just burned my whole face.”

Multiple police officers, however, have also testified that Takerei hit Roberts in the face with a spray from a canister — possibly CRC. However, Takerei has denied this. “You are lying to this court, aren’t you Ms Takerei?” Doak’s counsel, Todd Simmonds, said yesterday. “No I’m not,” she replied. Simmonds continued: “Are you saying these officers are making this up? Is that seriously what you’re suggesting to us?”

“I’m saying I didn’t have a can of CRC,” Takerei said. “I wouldn’t sit here and lie under oath, what reason would I have to lie?”

Simmonds replied: “That’s going to be a matter for this jury to determine.”

The lawyer said Takerei was “acting appallingly on the night”, “being extremely difficult” and was now delivering “more nonsense”.

“Are you prepared to accept any responsibility or are you saying you did absolutely nothing wrong?” Simmonds said.

“I wanted the car to stop,” Takerei said, but added: “I paid more attention to the Taser on my head.”

Takerei also rejected claims she was struggling.

After searching for the driver of the car, Takerei claims, Doak kneeled down beside her as she lay on the car park floor and pressed his Taser on her forehead between her eyes.

CCTV footage shows Doak kneeling by Takerei’s head with his Taser drawn. Her legs can be seen flailing.

Takerei said she couldn’t open her eyes because of the pepper spray. “I just felt something on my head.” However, she has admitted she could not see what was on her head.

Other police officers at the scene — including Roberts — have told the court they didn’t hear Doak threatening Takerei with his Taser or see him pressing it against her forehead.

Closing arguments are today.