Constable Bradley Moyle denies he lost control during Kiara Beck’s drunken arrest

A police officer and army veteran has denied he lost control when arresting a drunk woman he punched in the face twice, a court has heard. Warning: Distressing content

A police officer who punched a woman in the face during her drunken arrest has agreed one of his strikes may have been “unnecessary”, a court has heard.

Under cross examination Constable Bradley Moyle, 36, told the court the alleged victim had not been physically resisting until he shoved her into a taxi.

Constable Moyle, an army veteran, said he punched 21-year-old Kiara Beck in the face after she had grabbed his collar while he attempted to arrest her.

Body cam footage was shown to the court and demonstrated another officer had removed the alleged victim’s hand from Constable Moyle’s shirt following his first punch.

With Constable Moyle atop and with two other officers on site prosecutor Patrick Mulvihill told the court Ms Beck was completely defenceless.

Mount Gambier police officer Bradley Moyle is currently on trial for allegedly using excessive force during the arrest of a woman. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Constable Moyle said upon review the second strike may have been “unnecessary” but that the incident happened in seconds and he had ceased striking Ms Beck once he realised she no longer held his shirt.

Bruises Kiara Beck sustained during her violent arrest where she alleged Constable Bradley Moyle used excessive force. Picture: Supplied by Courts SA

He also agreed Ms Beck had no chance of overpowering him and that he had only punched her to affect the arrest.

Constable Moyle is facing trial for three counts of aggravated assault.

The court previously heard Constable Moyle first came across Ms Beck, in the parking lot of the Commercial Hotel on August 22, 2021.

Ms Beck, who was 20 at the time, had been ejected from the venue at around 11.20pm after allegedly getting into an “altercation” with her partner Tyson Ratcliffe, the court heard.

According to Ms Beck’s Facebook profile, the pair are still in a relationship.

Body cam footage showed Ms Beck being forcibly taken to the ground after she tried to kick the approaching officers.

As Ms Beck was on the ground, Constable Moyle heavily reprimanded the woman as she wailed, the court heard.

Kiara Beck was ejected from the Commercial Hotel after allegedly getting into an “altercation” with her partner Tyson Ratcliffe. Picture: Supplied

Constable Moyle agreed the kick had probably been inadvertent or unintentional.

Ms Beck was taken to the Mount Gambier Hospital by an ambulance for a mental health assessment, but soon left and by 1.50am Constable Moyle was called to assist police after bouncers refused to allow Ms Beck into a second pub, Mac’s Hotel.

Still wearing her hospital admission bracelet, Ms Beck continued to argue with police as she searched for her missing boyfriend and phone, the court heard.

Constable Moyle told the court he had become frustrated with Ms Beck’s behaviour and had shoved her into a taxi in the hopes she would get the message and go home.

He denied that he lost control.

Kiara Beck was allegedly assaulted by SAPOL officer Constable Bradley Moyle. Picture: Supplied

Though Ms Beck had allegedly committed a number of offences, such as interfering with a motor vehicle and disorderly conduct, Constable Moyle said police were hoping to avoid an arrest.

Given the resourcing disparity between metropolitan and country police stations, constable Moyle said officers tried to avoid arresting people — as it would take officers off the street, the court heard.

After receiving a shove to the chest, Ms Beck began swearing and started kicking her legs, which Constable Moyle said was the point he decided to arrest her, the court heard.

A police spokesman confirmed Constable Moyle was suspended with pay from June 24, 2022 and this remained the case.