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Pinched from ozbiker.org
Claim of cop apologising to Devils Henchman
A Tasmanian Police sergeant accused of punching a
handcuffed man later apologised to him for his actions, a court was told
yesterday.
Tracey Monks told the Supreme Court in Hobart Sgt John Ward went to the home she
shared with her partner David West late at night to apologise.
"He said he'd come around to apologise for his actions, it was a cowardly act,
he would hate to think David would take revenge on him in the supermarket when
he was with his family," Ms Monks said.
She said she had been at the door of the Montagu St, New Town house during the
meeting.
Sgt Ward, 42, has pleaded not guilty to assaulting David West by punching him in
the head while he was sitting in a police car during the early hours of November
16, 2003.
Cross-examined by Sgt Ward's lawyer David Gunson, SC, Ms Monks denied that her
account of the meeting was a "complete fabrication".
She also denied Mr Gunson"s suggestion that Sgt Ward was actually explaining to
Mr West how to go about making complaints against two officers who had pulled
him over for a random breath test and arrested him for assaulting them.
One of the officers, Constable Constantinos Makrogamvrakis, told the court
yesterday Mr West was arrested after he slammed a police car door and swung a
punch at his partner and pushed him in the chest.
Mr West had recorded a blood alcohol reading over the legal limit and was being
taken to Hobart police station for a breathalyser test.
Constable Makrogamvrakis said Mr West was handcuffed and placed in the police
car after a struggle.
He said Sgt Ward arrived at the scene with other police as back-up.
The constable said Sgt Ward asked Mr West: "What"s going on? Why are you causing
problems now? I thought we sorted this out."
The court has heard there had been an earlier incident involving Devils Henchmen
motorcycle club members and Constable Makrogamvrakis" partner Constable Peter
Andricopoulos.
The court has also heard Mr West is a Devils Henchmen member.
Constable Makrogamvrakis said Mr West did not respond to Sgt Ward and he was not
punched by the sergeant.
The trial before Justice Peter Evans is continuing.
Devils Henchman tells how officer
punched him
A Tasmanian Police sergeant repeatedly punched a man who had been handcuffed
with his arms behind his back, a court was told yesterday.
Sgt John George Ward, 44, of Glenorchy, is alleged to have assaulted David West
as he sat in a police car after being arrested following a random breath test.
The incident happened in Montagu St, New Town, during the early hours of
November 16, 2003.
Sgt Ward has pleaded not guilty to assaulting West.
West told the Supreme Court in Hobart he was pulled over by two police officers
about 100 metres from his home after attending a function at the Devil's
Henchmen motorcycle club.
He said he blew into the breathalyser and recorded a reading of about .16 or
.18.
West said he thought there was residual alcohol in his mouth and tried to
convince police to let him have another test later because he thought the
reading would fall.
But they said he had to go with them to a police station for another test, the
court heard.
West said he slammed his car door in frustration and was placed under arrest.
He was brought to the ground and handcuffed and other police were called to the
scene, including Sgt Ward.
After being put in a police vehicle, West's car was searched and his motorcycle
club colours were discovered.
West said Sgt Ward then came to the police car, opened the door, and said: "I
told you fucking Henchmen two weeks ago I wouldn't put up with your shit", and
punched him twice.
Sgt Ward then hit him four more times and said "I've got your money, I`ve got
your drugs, you're fucked", West said.
West was taken to a police station and charged with drink driving, resisting
arrest and assaulting police.
Sgt Ward has denied punching West and going to his house to apologise.
The court heard West had convictions for assaulting police, including the New
Town incident. The trial continues
