A police officer has been disciplined after throwing his rifle at a motorcyclist who was attempting to evade a police pursuit.

The rifle struck the motorcyclist on the helmet, causing him to come off his bike, sustaining minor injuries.

The incident happened on Thursday 21 September 2006 when police set up a vehicle checkpoint on a section of the Warrenpoint Road near Newry to stop the motorcyclist, who had accelerated away from a police vehicle.

As police gave chase, the motorcyclist was captured on video travelling at speeds well in excess of the speed limit, and overtaking vehicles on the hard shoulder.

Police and independent civilian evidence indicated that the motorcyclist slowed down as he approached the checkpoint and appeared to be trying to identify a way through.

As he tried to negotiate the checkpoint, a police officer threw his weapon at the motorcyclist, hitting him on the helmet. He lost control of the bike which then struck a police car. He sustained only minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The Police Ombudsman's Office submitted a file on its investigation to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), which directed 'No Prosecution.'

The Police Ombudsman's Office subsequently recommended that the officer who threw his weapon should receive Advice and Guidance on the dangers of this course of action.

The Police Ombudsman also recommended that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) should review relevant officer training courses to ensure that lessons were learned from this incident to help prevent the future inappropriate use of personal protection equipment, including firearms.