British actress Teresa Norton was arrested at Camps Bay beach for refusing to put her dog on a leash and to give her name and address to a law enforcement officer, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Music student Clint Denton, who was at the time employed temporarily as a law enforcement officer, testified at the trial of colleague Willem Boonzaaier (46).
Boonzaaier is charged before magistrate Alta Fredericks with assaulting Norton.
Prosecutor Michelle Davids alleged he manhandled her by grabbing her arm and pulling her around as he arrested her.
Denton told the court he could only vaguely recall the alleged incident in December 2006.
He said dogs were only allowed on Camps Bay beach on a leash before 9am and after 6pm daily, but not at all between 9am and 6pm.
On the day in question he was on foot patrol on the beach with Boonzaaier when they noticed Norton on the beach with her dog unleashed.
He said Boonzaaier approached her politely and explained the rules to her. Boonzaaier insisted that she at least put the dog on a leash, but Norton refused, said Denton.
Norton also refused to give Boonzaaier her name and address. Boonzaaier had then warned her he could place her under arrest for up to twelve hours, but she had still refused, he said.
Denton said Norton was then arrested and a patrol van was summoned to take her to the Camps Bay police station.
Norton refused to get into the vehicle so Denton and Boonzaaier walked with her to the police station.
On the way to the police station Norton twice tried to escape — first into a hotel and then into a restaurant.
The case continues on May 5. – Sapa