Ambulance officer punched

Press, 6 July 1988, Page 29

Ambulance officer punched

PA Auckland A Sandringham man, aged 51, has been convicted and fined $lOO for punching an ambulance officer who attended a medical call. William Pahi Taker#, a driver-storeman, denied the charge of assault, but was convicted by Judge McElrea in the District court at Auckland on Monday. An ambulance officer, Mr Brian Thorpe, told the Court he backed into a park in High Street, Auckland, before attempting to attend a call at De Brett’s hotel on November 30 last year. Takerei was driving a van behind the ambulance when it stopped and he “leaned on the horn,” said Mr Thorpe. Takerei then drove past and Mr Thorpe yelled that he had seen the “waggon” and was not going to back into it.

However, in evidence, Takerei said Mr Thorpe had sworn at him and approached him with his fists up. Takerei admitted he had punched the officer through the open window of his van but said it was in self-defence.

After the punch, Mr Thorpe said Takerei opened the van door and kicked him in the stomach. Takerei denied the kicking and said he pushed Mr Thorpe out of the way after the ambulance officer slammed his leg in the door. Defence counsel, Ms Susan Gray, said Takerei had admitted the punch but said it was thrown in self-defence when Mr Thorpe was aggressive towards him.

She said the injuries sustained by Mr Thorpe, which were not serious, showed her client had not acted to harm the officer but to protect himself. She produced photographs of Takerei’s leg which showed a cut received when the door was slammed on it.

The Judge said the admitted punch was not justified as self-defence and convicted Takerei.