Man allegedly bashed by policeman

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A man claims he was left with a fractured eye socket and a cut to his head after allegedly being assaulted by a Rotorua police officer.

The police officer, Constable David Mear, is on trial in the Rotorua District Court after pleading not guilty to a charge of wounding a man with intent to injure and assaulting the man with a police torch.

Opening for the Crown yesterday, Tauranga Crown Solicitor Greg Hollister Jones told the court that about 3am on August 28, 2010 complainant Harley Collier was hit on the head at least twice with a police torch by Mear. Mear also lifted Mr Collier's head and "face planted" it on to the road, he said.

Mr Hollister Jones said a police officer would give evidence that he saw Mear do this.

Mr Collier had been stopped by police following a pursuit which reached speeds of 115km/h.

Mear's lawyer, Paul Mabey QC, said Mear "completely and utterly" denied the assaults and said the police officer who would give evidence was a "complete liar".

Mear's name and occupation had been suppressed until suppression was lifted by Judge Phillip Cooper this morning after Mr Mabey said he would not making a further application for it to continue.