Policeman's assault sentencing postponed

The sentencing of a Whangarei policeman for assaulting a prisoner in the back of a police car has been put off.

Richard Soper, 38, was found guilty in a judge-alone trial in the Whangarei District Court to assaulting Wiremu Henare, now aged 18, on August 27, last year, while Henare was handcuffed in the back of a police car. Soper had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

But Judge Stan Thorburn found Soper guilty of assault and remanded him on bail to appear for sentencing today. The judge did not enter a conviction against Soper.

The sentencing was today put off until February 5, when Soper's lawyer Arthur Fairley will apply for a discharge without conviction under Section 106 of the Sentencing Act.