Police officer accused of viciously kicking subdued teen in head

A police officer said “don’t f … with the cops” as he kicked a 16-year-old boy in the head while he was lying face down and handcuffed, a Sydney court has heard this week.

• Moment ‘Teacher’s Pet’ suspect was nabbed
• Man assaulted cops in a rage after dog’s death

A police officer said “don’t f … with the cops” as he kicked a 16-year-old boy in the head while he was lying face down and handcuffed, a court has heard.

Senior Constable John Slatter allegedly assaulted the promising footballer after he tried to escape a random breath test in 2016.

The 45-year-old Horsley man has pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and is facing a hearing at Downing Centre Local Court this week.

Senior Constable John Slatter at Downing Centre Court this week. Picture: Richard Dobson

The boy suffered a stroke and brain injury at a rugby league game five weeks later.

The Crown doesn’t say there’s proof of a link between Slatter’s alleged attack and the teen’s cognitive and speech ­impairments.

The court heard the boy’s drunk passenger, who was pepper-sprayed during the scuffle, says he saw the kick to the head, but fellow witness Senior Constable Nathan Waser and other officers present denied seeing anything.

MORE NEWS

YOUNG NRL STAR CHARGED WITH DRINK-DRIVING

JOB JEALOUSY LED TO TERROR SET-UP, POLICE ALLEGE

SECOND MAN CHARGED OVER SYDNEY VAN HEIST

The junior NRL lock was leaving a party in Oyster Bay with two friends around 9pm on April 16, 2016, when the car he was driving was pulled over for an RBT, prosecutor Nicholas Marney told the court.

Police facts show the then L-plater told police he didn’t have his licence with him and the court heard he blew a blood-alcohol level of 0.086 before trying to run off.

He was caught a few metres away when police ripped his shirt but he began punching the officers, police claimed.

The now 19-year-old said he had four beers before he was asked to leave the party and denied punching any cop.

But the former athlete said he was worried he’d lose his contract with a football club so he thrashed around, swore and pushed a bald officer as he tried to flee.

An officer held the teen in a headlock and he repeatedly apologised and screamed for help from his friend who yelled “get the f … off my mate”, the court heard.

In an October police video interview played to court the teen said the same bald cop pepper-sprayed his friend and said “f … you, you dog”.

Mr Marney said when the teen was later lying on the ground, cuffed behind his back and fully subdued, Slatter kicked him and yelled “don’t f … with the cops”.

Defence solicitor Brett Eurell said the boy was charged with drink-driving, assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and damaging property.

Mr Eurell said the two teens fabricated Slatter’s alleged kick to play down their criminal ­behaviour.