Lismore Local Court has heard that a police officer tasered a drunken pub patron who was unconscious after the policeman had first grabbed him by the throat, thrown him to the ground and kneed in him the head.
The allegations came from the barrister representing Kyogle publican Wayne Goodwin, who has been charged with wilfully obstructing a police officer in execution of duty in February.
The barrister for Mr Goodwin said he had stopped Snr Const David Hill from restraining the drunk customer, Blake Flannagan, because he was worried for the his life.
But Sgt Aaron Reid said he was with Snr Const David Hill on the night and claimed Mr Flannagan had acted aggressively towards him.
Of course, anything more animated than abject docility is routinely regarded as aggression by police.
Actually voicing your rights is often construed to be resisting arrest and assaulting police.
Cops are extremely sensitive beings and need to be handled with great care.