Williams v Police - [1981] 1 NZLR 108

Criminal law — Assault — Self-defence — Arrest — Powers of police — Uniformed constable, investigating complaint of assault, sought to detain defendants until complainant had the opportunity to identify them — Defendants refused to wait — Constable prevented defendant from getting into a car, and was pushed out of the way — When constable purported to arrest his companion, second defendant intervened and was also arrested — Whether constable had been assaulted in the execution of his duty — Whether first defendant had been lawfully arrested — Whether plea of self-defence available to both defendants.