A young Glenavy man who admitted injuring Constable Gaganbir Singh Dhillon, of Oamaru, was likely to be sent to prison, Judge Stephen O'Driscoll told the Oamaru District Court yesterday.
Joshua Teihoka Julius (20), builder, admitted the charge of aggravated injuring, along with charges of refusing to accompany police, drink-driving (600mcg) and dangerous driving on Thames Highway on February 21.
Three charges of resisting police were withdrawn yesterday.
Judge O'Driscoll remanded Julius in custody to reappear for sentencing on July 7.
Benjamin Warren Smith (18), panelbeater, yesterday admitted a charge of aggravated injuring, in connection with the same incident, and he was remanded on bail to the same date.
Prosecutor Sergeant Graeme Evans said Julius was driving a Mazda car on Thames Highway about 8pm. He had six passengers, all of whom had consumed alcohol, and four occupied seats while two were unrestrained in the boot.
As the defendant travelled north on Thames Highway with a deflated front-left tyre, having earlier mounted the median barrier and pavement in Exe St, a police constable, driving from the opposite direction, turned to follow him.
Julius pulled to the side of the road, got out and went to the boot of the car, telling the constable he intended to change the flat tyre. The passengers all got out and stood on the pavement.
Julius failed a breath-screening test and was required to accompany the officer, but walked away.
The constable removed the keys from the vehicle and began to follow the defendant, who turned and approached him in an aggressive manner.
As Julius approached, the constable used pepper spray, hitting him on the upper chest and lower facial area.
The defendant again turned and walked off before turning and running swiftly and aggressively back at the officer.
An altercation ensued in which one of the defendant's associates pushed the constable to the ground and Julius punched him about the head.
The constable sustained bruising to his legs and arms and cuts and bruising to his face and head.
He was admitted to hospital overnight for observation and discharged the following day.
He returned to some duties a week after the assault and has now returned to full duty.
Julius was located by police about 30 minutes after he fled from the scene.
He offered no explanation for his behaviour, saying he had no memory of what occurred after he had been pepper sprayed.
