Policeman bashed in cell

A Rotorua police officer has spent the night in hospital after allegedly being attacked with a weapon by a remand prisoner in the city's police station cells.

Constable Colin Robson of the Rotorua police was attacked in the cellblock about 9pm on Sunday.

The prisoner allegedly used a blunt instrument as a weapon and struck Mr Robson over the head and upper body several times.

Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne said the officer was caught by surprise when the prisoner asked for help.

Mr Robson spent the night in hospital where he was treated for multiple cuts to his head. He was discharged yesterday.

Mr Horne was unavailable for further comment yesterday.

Rotorua man Tama Pihema has been charged over the attack.

The 18-year-old entered no plea when he appeared in the Rotorua District Court yesterday charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was remanded in custody to reappear in court on June 25.

Mr Robson joined the police in 2005. He graduated top of his wing.

Mr Robson also spent 12 years in the British Army's parachute regiment, in East Timor with the New Zealand Army and worked as a prison officer.

The Rotorua police station cell block has been criticised for being out of date and unsatisfactory.

However, the entire cell block is in the process of being rebuilt and will be able to hold twice as many prisoners, up to 53 compared with the current limit of 24.

The new cell block is designed on a Queensland model and is expected to be finished by the start of next year.

- ROTORUA DAILY POST