Investigation Underway Over Violent Arrest Of Aboriginal Man In South Australia

South Australia Police say an internal investigation is underway over the violent arrest of an Aboriginal man in Adelaide.

Noel Henry, 28, was reportedly stopped by police for riding a bike without a helmet and no light on on Monday night.

Police say there was also a suspicion that he was in possession of illegal drugs and the man resisted arrest. A video posted to social media shows one officer yelling at the man to 'get on the f***ing ground' before repeatedly striking him in the face.

He was eventually taken to a police station where he was charged with hindering police, resisting police and property damage. He's since been released pending further investigation and SA Police say there are no active charges against the man.

A statement from SA Police says: "As police approached the address they saw a man leaving the area of the house on a bicycle.

Susie Goldsmith/Facebook

"Police at this time advised the man that they had suspicions concerning him being in possession of illicit drugs. He was asked to place his hands on his head while a search of his person was undertaken."

Several bystanders became agitated by what was happening and allegedly got involved, before Henry was pepper sprayed in the face 'at close range'.

Advocate from a group trying to prevent deaths in custody, Latoya Rule, told NITV that Henry was pretty beaten up from the scuffle.

"I heard he had really bad injuries to his face, his arms, his legs and he wasn't that well. He didn't have any medical assistance. They told him he would be seeing a nurse last night. He didn't," Rule said.

"He was charged with resisting arrest only. He didn't have any charge to be arrested in the first place -- not for the bike light or helment, or anything. There was literally no reason for them to have a resisting arrest charge laid."

He was eventually treated by a doctor and was said to be in shock.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the investigation into the 'very senior officer' will be thorough.

"All of the circumstances relating to the police response to this particular event will be thoroughly scrutinised and we'll make a determination based on all of the facts," Commissioner Stevens said.

Premier Steven Marshall added that he's been concerned by what he saw on the video footage of the arrest.

"We will look at the results of the investigation and see what action needs to be taken," he said.

Topics: News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie