Date for accused cop assaulter

A Tauranga man accused of knocking a police officer unconscious during a domestic dispute is due back in court on October 31.

Tame Rikiti is accused of assaulting a police officer. Photo: file.

Tame Awhio Rikiti, 23, is due to appear before a judge at the end of the month charged with male assaults female, wounding with intent to injure and wilful damage.

The charges stem from an incident on Cameron Road on October 24, when the 23-year-old got into a domestic dispute with his partner.

According to court documents, Rikiti and his partner got into a fight as they were heading to visit a nephew in Tauranga Hospital following a family birthday party.

On the way to the hospital, his partner refused to talk to him and walked towards 17th Ave.

Rikiti follower her and was yelling at her, asking why she wouldn't speak to him.

As she continued to ignore him, Rikiti got angry and, while she was sitting on some steps at the hospital car park, threw a handful of leaves in her face.

She then told him she didn't want to be with him anymore, and he responded by kicking her in the knee with such force she began to cry.

As she walked away, Rikiti caught up with her and put her in a bear hug yelling 'is this what you want, to cause a scene?”.

She managed to break free and Rikiti was still yelling at her when police arrived.

Rikiti refused to co-operate and while an officer was trying to restrain his partner, he launched at the policeman and punched him in the right side of the face with such force the officer immediately slumped down.

The officer was unconscious for about five to 10 seconds before regaining his faculties.

The force of the blow split the right ear of the police officer, who was taken to Tauranga Hospital for medical treatment.

A second officer managed to get Rikiti in handcuffs after wrestling him to the ground.

When spoken to by police, Rikiti admitted kicking his partner because she wouldn't talk to him but said he couldn't remember assaulting the police officer.

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