Koby Abberton detained in US on visa violation
December 8, 2008

Professional bigwave surfer and Bra Boy gang member Koby Abberton has been detained by US immigration officials in Hawaii over a visa violation.

Abberton has been detained in solitary confinement at a US federal detention centre after being arrested on Thursday, the Seven Network reports.

The arrest came just hours before the 30-year-old was due to fly home after serving a three-day sentence for assaulting an off-duty police officer outside a Honolulu nightclub.

The Seven Network said the surfer's US lawyers claimed he had been held in solitary confinement, not fed for more than 24 hours and given little water.

His lawyers also say his left elbow was dislocated in an altercation with an immigration official.

Abberton may be detained at the centre until Christmas, but his lawyers hope he will be able to return to Australia soon, Seven said.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said a 30-year-old NSW man had been detained in Honolulu, but would not confirm it was Abberton.

"The Australian consular general in Honolulu has confirmed with local authorities that a 30-year-old NSW man was detained on the visa violation on the 4th of December," the spokesman told AAP.

"He's retained the services of a lawyer. Consular staff will continue to provide him with consular assistance as requested."

Last month, Abberton was sentenced to three days jail for the assault on the police officer, after striking a plea deal with prosecutors.

Abberton punched 27-year-old off-duty officer Richard Puu outside Honolulu's Epic nightclub in the early hours of March 8.

Puu told authorities he was hit while trying to break up a fight involving Abberton.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bra-bo ... 51501.html