The officer was faced with an aggressive group outside the Havana Club while he was in the process of trying to arrest a 19-year-old for being drunk and disorderly.
The incident took place at just after 2 am on 25 February when the officer went to break up a scuffle involving a small group of men.
One of the men had a glass bottle, and the officer, fearing it may be used to assault someone, took it from the man.
Centenier Peter Garrett said: ‘This seemed to cause anger to the crowd. As the police officer tried to move away, the defendant was shouting at him. He was asked to leave the area, but he walked towards the officer and challenged him to a fight.’
It was at this point, the Centenier said, that the group started to surround the officer and he used his PAVA spray.
The teenager pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and possessing drugs and was fined £500. No one else was arrested.
