A policeman in Whangarei has been found guilty of assaulting a prisoner in the back of a patrol car.

38 year-old Richard Soper stood trial in the District Court last month, charged with assaulting 18 year-old Wiremu Henare in August last year.

Henare said he was punched up to 10 times in the back of a police car after being arrested for assaulting an elderly woman in her home, and stealing her car.

Soper denied hitting Henare, but admitted pushing his face in the back of the car and swearing at him because he was disgusted at his actions.

Judge Stan Thorburn has found Soper guilty of assault, and remanded him on bail for sentencing on December 3rd.