A man accused of assaulting a police constable has told a Nairobi court that he did so unknowingly, after confusing him for a robber.

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Daniel Malaki Otieno was on Tuesday arraigned before Milimani Law Court Magistrate Martha Mutuku and charged with assaulting Police Constable Harrison Karisa Kazungu.

The judge heard that the crime was done in the process of Otieno's arrest at the Nairobi Hebrew Synagogue, which is located along Uhuru Highway on August 10, 2019.

However, the accused said that he did not realize that the persons arresting him were police officers, but thought that they were robbers out to rob him.

He told the court that the officer was dressed in civilian clothing, and did not realize that he was an officer until he was arrested and taken to the police station.

Otieno was also accused of destroying a certificate of appointment belonging to police constable Dennis Okumu, handing him a second count of malicious damage of property.

But thought his lawyer, the accused argued that the complainant was in the process of withdrawing the case, therefore pleading for lighter bond terms.

The judge released him on Sh200,000 bond or Sh100,000 cash bail, with the pre-trial direction for the case set to be issued on August 27.