A POLICE officer has admitted bashing a handcuffed prisoner and altering official records to escape a traffic fine.



Senior Constable Kristian Martin, 40, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.



He pleaded guilty to one aggravated count of assault, and to one count of dishonestly dealing with documents.



A second dishonesty charge was dropped as part of a plea bargain.



Martin assaulted Jozef Kalmar in Rundle Mall on July 24 last year.



Mr Kalmar was struck by Martin with a police-issue baton after he had already been detained.



The charge was aggravated because Martin was "in a position of authority" over Mr Kalmar at the time.



Martin also falsified police records between February and April last year at Norwood.



He tried to claim exemption from fines by falsely stating that he was on duty at the time he was photographed by speed cameras.






Under state law, police officers can be excused from speeding fines if they can show good reason for their conduct.



Martin has been suspended with pay since being charged - AdelaideNow understands that situation will be reviewed due to his admissions.



He faces a maximum three-year jail term for the assault charge, and up to 15 years in prison for the dishonesty offences.



Today Allan McDonald, prosecuting, asked Magistrate Bob Harrap to adjourn sentencing submissions to a later date.



"There will be some CCTV footage of the assault that Your Honour should view as part of the sentencing process," he said.



Joana Fuller, for Martin, agreed.



She said she needed time for psychological reports about her client to be prepared and tendered.



Mr Harrap remanded Martin to appear in April.