Attack on officer described

Press, 19 July 1983, Page 3

Attack on officer described

PA Auckland A man was remanded in custody when he appeared in the District Court at Auckland yesterday charged with assaulting a woman traffic officer.

Felix Anthony Simons, aged 21, an unemployed welder, of Henderson, pleaded guilty to a charge that on July 12 at Auckland he assaulted Mary Ann Patersen with intent to facilitate his get-away after committing the offence of unlawful taking. He also admitted unlawfully taking a $l5OO motorcycle on the same date.

Sergeant Richard Davison told the Court that Simons found a motor-cycle hidden behind bushes in Sunlight Avenue, Henderson, last Tuesday morning. He drove the motor-cycle around Henderson and later picked up a friend in Massey. The pair went to Blockhouse Bay on the stolen machine.

Sergeant Davison said Simons went through a stop sign. He was seen by Traffic Officer Patersen and chased at speeds of more than 80km/h.

Simons stopped at an intersection. As the officer got off her motor-cycle he accelerated away. The pair were chased by the officer again until they fell off the motor-cycle. Mrs Patersen put her machine up against the stolen motor-

cycle to stop Simons and his associate getting away again. Sergeant Davison said Simons punched Mrs Patersen in the face. He put her in a headlock and dragged her down the road. He again punched her in the face, then let her go and ran off. Simons was chased and caught. He then threw Mrs Patersen to the ground and pushed her head and face into some mud. Sergeant Davison said the officer struggled with Simons for a few minutes as he tried to escape. She received numerous punches. Simons got away after friends, who had arrived in a car, helped him. Sergeant Davison said Mrs Patersen suffered bruising about the face and body, plus whiplash where her helmet was twisted around her neck. He said her helmet saved her from further injuries.

Simons admitted the offence. He said he had tried to get away because he was a disqualified driver and did not want to be caught again, said Sergeant Davison. Simons yesterday disputed that he had punched Mrs Patersen in the face. Judge Blackwood then called for evidence on this matter. He convicted and remanded Simons in custody for a probation report and sentence on July 25.