arresting his son, Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

But Richard Smith later told the officers he would not have waded into the fracas had he known they were Police officers.

Smith is charged along with his 17-year-old son Justis Smith of assaulting Det. Con. Lendra Davis and Det. Con Clinard Burgess on February 1.

The younger Smith is also charged with obstructing Police officers, violently resisting arrest and using offensive words near the junction of Parson's Road and Deepdale Road in Pembroke on the same day.

Smith's father, Richard Smith, was also charged with assaulting Det. Con.

Burgess and Det. Con. Barry Richards, and violently resisting arrest on the same date.

Det. Con. Richards testified that he was on duty that night with other officers and they went to Deepdale Road acting on a tip.

There they found two groups of young people. Someone then shouted that the Police had arrived and some of the young people began to walk away.

Det. Con. Richards said he saw Det. Con. Davis approach Justis Smith and he saw them struggle.

She fell and Justis Smith ran off. Officers pursued him and caught up with him and told him he would be arrested, Det. Con Richards said. That is when he became violent.

Det. Con. Richards said Justis Smith then began to swing his arms violently and he struck Det. Con. Burgess in the mouth.

Soon after Det. Con. Richards said Richard Smith approached and was told not to interfere because his son was under arrest.

Defence lawyer Elizabeth Christopher asserted Police never properly identified themselves or told Justis Smith that he was under arrest.

Ms Christopher also suggested the younger Smith was held down at one point by Police and hit about the face.

Police denied both suggestions. Ms Christopher then attempted to introduce some photographs which depicted the bruising but Magistrate Edward King refused to allow it.

The trial continues this morning despite strenuous objections from Ms Christopher for a later date because she is involved in another trial scheduled for later this morning.

Insp. Kenrick James appears for the prosecution.