Police pepper-sprayed teen in Mob house

At least two police officers used pepper spray in a callout to a Blenheim house where a patched Mongrel Mob member lived with his partner and six children, they said in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

A defended hearing began yesterday for Mongrel Mob member Tony Taurima, 45, his partner Denise Adele August, 34, a mother of six, and Les Te Rawha Wiremu Edmonds, 22. Each face charges of assaulting police and resisting police. August is also charged with intentional damage and Taurima with threatening to kill.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said police were called to a domestic incident in Brewer St about 8.30pm on October 26. Four officers went to the side door of the house where Taurima yelled abuse at them, told them to leave and closed the door.

One of the officers heard more yelling and the sound of a slap or punch from inside the house, he said.

They went into the house and tried to move the defendants into the living room, but they resisted and kept yelling abuse, he said.

Police dog handler Steven Tribe said he accidently released a short burst of pepper spray during a struggle with Taurima and Edmonds in a narrow hallway, which sprayed everyone, including himself.

He sprayed a 13-year-old boy who looked like he was about to throw a full beer bottle, but got him only on his chest and back of the head, Mr Tribe said.

Another constable said he managed to spray the boy in the face and neck.

In cross examination by Taurima's lawyer Bryony Millar, Mr Tribe said he had not known there were children in the house.

Asked by Edmonds' lawyer Rob Harrison why the original inquiry about the sound of an assault was not followed up, he said he had become more concerned about the effects of the spray and moving the small children away from it.

Constable Nathan Potbury said Taurima barked like a dog and bit his thumb when he tried to put him in the police car. It made his thumb bleed.

Taurima also threatened to kill him and his family, he said.

August was arrested after she used a piece of wood to damage the back of a police van.

The hearing continues today before Judge Chris Tuohy.

- The Marlborough Express