Nemesis
01-13-2005, 06:35 PM
January 14, 2005
THE Police Integrity Commission will hold its first regional public hearings next month into allegations of police brutality in Wagga Wagga in southern NSW.
The commission is investigating claims five police officers bashed Wagga man Allan Frederick Hathaway to within an inch of his life after arresting him on a traffic matter.
Last year, Magistrate Bill Pearce raised concerns about Mr Hathaway's treatment while hearing charges against him and referred the matter to the commission.
Mr Pearce found police had lied in court about Mr Hathaway's arrest, and had turned away ambulance officers who arrived to treat his injuries.
A knife was also planted at the scene of Mr Hathaway's arrest, the magistrate found.
The commission is also investigating other allegations of improper use of force by police attached to the Wagga local area command.
A spokesman for the commission said the hearing would take place before Commissioner Terry Griffin at Wagga courthouse from February 21 to 25.
Superintendent Steve Bradshaw of Wagga police said several officers would give evidence at the hearing.
"Police will give evidence as to their version of what happened and the Police Integrity Commission will make a decision," he said, adding that he could not comment further on the case.
Comment was being sought from Mr Hathaway's solicitor, Stephen Groch.
AAPnews.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11938139%255E1702,00.html)
THE Police Integrity Commission will hold its first regional public hearings next month into allegations of police brutality in Wagga Wagga in southern NSW.
The commission is investigating claims five police officers bashed Wagga man Allan Frederick Hathaway to within an inch of his life after arresting him on a traffic matter.
Last year, Magistrate Bill Pearce raised concerns about Mr Hathaway's treatment while hearing charges against him and referred the matter to the commission.
Mr Pearce found police had lied in court about Mr Hathaway's arrest, and had turned away ambulance officers who arrived to treat his injuries.
A knife was also planted at the scene of Mr Hathaway's arrest, the magistrate found.
The commission is also investigating other allegations of improper use of force by police attached to the Wagga local area command.
A spokesman for the commission said the hearing would take place before Commissioner Terry Griffin at Wagga courthouse from February 21 to 25.
Superintendent Steve Bradshaw of Wagga police said several officers would give evidence at the hearing.
"Police will give evidence as to their version of what happened and the Police Integrity Commission will make a decision," he said, adding that he could not comment further on the case.
Comment was being sought from Mr Hathaway's solicitor, Stephen Groch.
AAPnews.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11938139%255E1702,00.html)