Man claims KFC arrest unwarranted

ANGRY: Pitiroi Turner says his arrest at KFC Napier left him with injuries. PHOTO PAUL TAYLOR

Pitiroi Turner says he has chafed wrists, a cut on his back and a lump behind his ear after being arrested by police yesterday.

A Facebook video showing police pepper-spraying Mr Turner at KFC carpark in Napier has gone viral on Facebook, and has been viewed almost 70,000 times since being posted last night.

Mr Turner said he disagreed with a subsequent police statement that claimed the video did not give a full picture of what occurred. Officers claimed He was being obstructive and aggressive during the standoff.

He said a police vehicle blocked his car from leaving the car park and he was asked to get out of the car about .

"I asked if I could grab some stuff and walked to the boot," he told Hawke's Bay Today. When he tried to open the boot he said a police officer grabbed his arm and handcuffed his left wrist before pepper-spraying him.
He was then "thrown to the ground".

"I felt a punch to my head. I didn't even know what was happening."
He said he couldn't see anything as his eyes had been sprayed.
Police said despite using pepper spray Mr Turner continued to struggle violently and refused to be handcuffed.

He appeared briefly in Hastings District Court, facing three charges to which no pleas were entered, and was remanded on bail to appear in Napier District Court on November 25.

He faced one charge of resisting arrest relating to the incident, one of driving while forbidden relating to being at the wheel of the car, and one of breaching community work, for which he was supposed to have appeared in Napier District Court yesterday.