A Dunedin man has admitted attacking three police officers at an alcohol checkpoint, forcing them to Taser him.
In the Dunedin District Court yesterday, Antonio Steven Moataane, 34, pleaded guilty to injuring with intent to injure, assault, refusing to give a blood specimen and refusing to accompany an enforcement officer.
The court heard that on December 8, Moataane was driving in Brighton Rd where an alcohol checkpoint was being conducted.
He pulled over about 50m before the checkpoint.
A police officer pulled in behind the defendant and activated his red-and-blue flashing lights.
Moataane got out of the car and spoke to the officer.
He admitted consuming alcohol and said he was not sure if he would be under the limit.
He refused to take a breath test and questioned the officer’s rights to require him to do anything.
Concerned by Moataane’s demeanour, the officer called for backup.
But when police tried to arrest Moataane he said: "Don’t touch me or it’s not gonna end well".
When officers approached the defendant, he bombarded three of them with punches to their faces.
Police used a Taser on Moataane, restrained him and took him to the police station.
There, Moataane refused to undergo an evidential blood test.
One police officer suffered a head injury and concussion from the assault.
Court documents revealed the defendant had twice been convicted for drink-driving.
Judge David Robinson remanded Moataane on bail until sentencing in August.
The judge referred the defendant to restorative justice and ordered a report exploring options for an electronically-monitored sentence.
Another man appeared yesterday in relation to the incident but denied the allegations against him.
felicity.dear@odt.co.nz , Court reporter
