WA:WA lawyer questions alleged victim's story

AAP General News (Australia)
08-01-2011
WA:WA lawyer questions alleged victim's story

The lawyer for a police officer on trial for allegedly fracturing a man's jaw during
an arrest has told a Perth jury to dismiss the alleged victim's evidence due to inconsistencies
in his story.

ADAM HIKATAREWA WIRINGI is on trial charged with grievous bodily harm after allegedly
throwing DAVID AARON JACOB BARNARD to the ground in February 2007.

The court heard that police saw Mr BARNARD riding a BMX bicycle without a helmet and
told him to stop, but he sped off.

Mr BARNARD was eventually apprehended by police but claimed that during his arrest
he was thrown to the ground head first.

WIRINGI says Mr BARNARD tripped or fell to the ground, and his lawyer KAREN VERNON
said her client hadn't used excessive force on him, but was just doing his job of trying
to arrest Mr BARNARD.

Mr BARNARD admitted to inconsistencies in his evidence, which included telling Swan
District Hospital staff he'd been "beaten up by Aboriginals" the night before.

AAP RTV anr/wf

KEYWORD: WIRINGI (PERTH)

� 2011 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.