A Blenheim Mongrel Mob member says his five children were pepper-sprayed by police, leaving them screaming in pain and without medical help for more than an hour.
Tony Taurima said the children, aged between 13 months and 13 years, were affected by the spray used when he, his partner and another man were arrested after a violent clash with police on Labour Day, the Marlborough Express reported.
Taurima said police took him from the house but the children remained behind. They were left screaming in pain and did not get to sleep until 2am, more than four hours after the incident.
A Child, Youth and Family officer arrived at the house about 90 minutes later and told a relative to put the children in the shower to wash off the spray.
However, Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan of Blenheim police said the situation was different to that being alleged by Taurima.
Officers acted "lawfully and appropriately at the address as the incident unfolded" after they were called to the house following an assault report.
The matter was now before the court and he could not comment further.
The three arrested adults will appear again in Blenheim District Court on November 10 on charges of resisting and assaulting police.
Taurima is also alleged to have threatened to kill a police officer, while the other man faces an intentional damage charge.
