Cape Town metro police official William Boonzaaier was found not guilty in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Monday of assaulting British actress Teresa Norton on Camps Bay beach.

His court appearance followed an incident two years ago when he allegedly manhandled Norton while arresting her for illegally walking her dog on the beach.

Boonzaaier appeared before magistrate Alta Fredericks, who ruled that he had acted within the ambit of his duties in arresting her firstly for walking her dog illegally and then for refusing to furnish him with her name and address.

As Boonzaaier accompanied her on foot to the Camps Bay police station Norton had twice tried to escape, first by running into a hotel on the way and then by running into a restaurant.

On both occasions, Boonzaaier had been justified in chasing after her and grabbing her arm, as he rearrested her, her lawyer Nkosinathi Nongogo said.

Sapa