Police officer Constable Daniel Stanford found to have punched woman he arrested A POLICE officer who punched the face of a woman he had arrested has lost an appeal over his conviction for aggravated assault. Constable Daniel Stanford was convicted in Adelaide Magistrates Court over the assault of a young woman at Hindmarsh Square in September 2010, during which he was also alleged to have called the victim a "stupid fat lesbian." The victim, Chloe Reynolds, had been involved in an altercation earlier that night with a group of men. Ms Reynolds hit one of the men and damaged the window of his van before leaving but then returned to look for her wallet. When Ms Reynolds, her then-girlfriend Alexandra Corban and another friend returned, the men were speaking to police, Stanford and Constable Christianna Trnovsky. Stanford arrested Ms Reynolds and handcuffed her before Const. Trnovsky placed her in the back of their police car with the door open. Ms Corban claimed Stanford then arrested her and felt pain in her shoulders and arms when he handcuffed her. Ms Reynolds told the Magistrates Court she heard Ms Corban crying while Stanford called her words like 'stupid' and 'slut'. She said she asked Const. Trnovsky whether Stanford's behaviour was 'right' before going over to Ms Corban and Stanford. Ms Reynolds told the court she then headbutted Stanford in the face. Trnovsky gave evidence Stanford pushed Ms Reynolds to the ground, straddled her and punched her in the face. She said Stanford then spat blood on Ms Reynolds' face and said something like 'you stupid fat lesbian'. The Magistrates Court convicted Stanford for one count of aggravated assault over the punch but found him not guilty of a second count over the alleged spitting. Stanford appealed his conviction in the Supreme Court, claiming that although Ms Reynolds did deliver "a powerful and painful" headbutt to his face, he did not punch her. He claimed Cons. Trnovsky lied about seeing the punch after hearing Ms Reynolds mention the punch in her police interview. He claimed she made-up the punch because she had discovered Stanford was blaming her allowing Ms Reynolds to headbutt him. Justice David Peek dismissed Stanford's appeal in the Supreme Court. "I hold no doubt as to the appellant's guilt, although I do recognise that he probably acted under the influence of significant provocation due to the head butt by the complainant," he said. Stanford was sentenced in the Adelaide Magistrates Court to seven months in jail, which was suspended. Police Association president Mark Carroll said the Association supported Const. Stanford in his criminal trial and his appeal. "The association's support of Constable Stanford was based upon substantial merit to defend the matter," he said. Mr Carroll said it was alleged Const. Stanford used excessive force while arresting Ms Reynolds who "headbutted and violently assaulted" Const. Stanford "Naturally, we are concerned at this outcome for our member," he said. The association continues to support Constable Stanford who is currently on suspension.