Crown files for re-trial over awards to “clowns”

Press, 18 May 1984, Page 3

Crown files for re-trial over awards to “clowns”

PA Auckland The police will try to overturn a High Court jury’s award of $lO,OOO to each of three “clowns” assaulted by riot squad policemen during the 1981 Springbok rugby tour.

The Crown has filed a motion in the High Court in Auckland for a re-trial. The Crown alleges the decision of the first trial jury last month was against the weight of evidence, and that

the amount of damages it awarded was excessive. A second motion filed by the Crown contends that the police force as a whole was not liable to pay the $30,000 previously awarded by the Court. The assault of three demonstrators dressed as clowns on the day of the Eden Park test is the longest standing legal action arising from the tour riots.

Jaques Monroe, of Syd-

ney; and Glenn Brynley Spiller and Janina Kaye Adamiak, both of Auckland, each claimed $50,000 damages against the police. They claimed they were severely beaten and kicked by three unidentified riot policemen in Dominion Road, on September 12.

After a civil hearing lasting 2¥z weeks, the High Court jury in Auckland deliberated for almost seven hours before finding in favour of the plaintiffs.