Assaulted, robbed, and finally arrested.

by Jackie Woods.

When taxi driver William He drove to Mascot police station after being assaulted and robbed, he was the one who got arrested. Now he wants an apology

After reporting to the police, two constables went with him to his assailants' residence, but when they accused him of assaulting them he got so upset that the officers were forced to arrest him.

Although his face and arms were bruised and his taxi had been damaged, Mr He says the two officers sided with his attackers.

After protesting his innocence, he says the police told him: "If you do not leave now and continue to argue with me you may be under arrest."

And that's what happened.

Back at the station he was handcuffed and held for almost 12 hours and while the charges of common assault, assault police and resist arrest were dismissed in court, he says he lost his taxi licence as a result, was unemployed for a year, and suffers anxiety and insomnia.

He has appealed to the ombudsman to get the police to apologise.

The member for Canterbury, Kevin Moss, has weighed in on his behalf stating: "I fail to see why Mr He should be charged with assault when He appears to be the victim and was in face prepared to approach the police for assistance.

The Eastern Suburbs Messenger, March 17, 1998