A 33 year old police officer pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm in the Suva Magistrate Court this morning.

It is alledged that on 12th July last month Aisea Tavola while on duty noticed the complainant Pranil Prasad of Nadera while he was driving his car through Butt Street. Tavola stopped the vehicle, seized the ignition key and walked away.

Prasad got out of the car and followed the accused and asked him to return the keys several times but in the process the accused allegedly punched Prasad several times. Prasad received facial injuries and a swollen shoulder.

Tavola told the court that he suspected Prasad to be drunk at the time. The case has been adjourned till 16th September.