UPDATED 2.10pm: The issue of whether slain security guard Charanpreet Dhaliwal should have had access to a radio telephone is dominating questioning at a coroner's inquest into his death.

The head of the company which employed him, CNE Security, has told the court cellphones were the best communication method, as radio coverage was unreliable.

He also said the company carried out 'random' welfare checks on officers.

But security expert Bryce Winstone disputes that, saying there's no such thing as a random welfare check and checks should be carried out at least every hour.

Yesterday the man acquitted of the murder of Dhaliwal told a Coroner’s inquest he threw a piece of wood at the guard, simply to scare him.

Hateni Latu gave evidence about the death of Charanpreet Dhaliwal, who was attacked in 2011 on what was his first night on the job patrolling a west Auckland building site.

A jury found Latu not guilty of Mr Dhaliwal’s murder, in 2013.

At times smirking while he gave evidence, Latu told the court he threw a piece of wood at the security guard so he would stop bothering them. However, he said it did not hit him.

That contradicted evidence given at the inquest by two of his associates, who said they saw and heard Latu hit the 22-year-old twice with a piece of timber.

Latu said one of the men he was with, Allen Ulugia, punched Mr Dhaliwal and kneed him in the face.

The 30-year-old’s evidence led to some tense exchanges in court, with a lawyer for the Coroner, Fletcher Pilditch, accusing Latu of lying.

“Are you comfortable with the not guilty verdict, do you sleep comfortably at night?” he asked.

Latu replied that he was comfortable, and was at the inquest to tell the truth.

Flanked by two security guards as he gave evidence, Latu is currently serving time in Manawatu Prison and has a string of previous convictions.

Meanwhile, the inquest has heard the lack of training Mr Dhaliwal received as a security guard may have contributed to his death.

The court heard from Michael Rutherford, the General Manager of First Security and an expert with 40 years’ experience in the industry.

He employed Mr Dhaliwal during the Rugby World Cup to help with meet and greets, and crowd control at Britomart train station.

Mr Rutherford has made it clear the young Indian didn't undertake formal security training for that role, saying proper training may have made a difference in the way Mr Dhaliwal responded when he was confronted by his attackers while patrolling the building site.

Mr Rutherford said even if Mr Dhaliwal had gone through proper security training, a "newbie" like him should not have been allowed to patrol alone.

The inquest continues.