PC Richard Williams, a North Wales Police officer, has been acquitted of assault charges after he was filmed repeatedly punching a man during an arrest. The jury at Caernarfon Crown Court found the 43-year-old officer not guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation following a seven-day trial. The incident took place in May 2023 in Porthmadog, Gwynedd, when PC Williams responded to a report of a domestic incident.
During the trial, PC Williams defended his actions, stating that the force used was necessary as the suspect had resisted arrest and posed a threat to his safety and that of his colleague. He explained that he did not intend to harm the 34-year-old suspect, Steven Clark, and that the punches delivered were meant as “distraction blows” when they were both on the ground and he could not reach his taser or baton. The entire altercation was captured on video by a neighbor and later went viral on social media, prompting an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC conducted a thorough investigation, reviewing the video footage, collecting witness statements, and interviewing PC Williams under gross misconduct and criminal caution. After concluding their inquiry in November 2023, the evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service, which decided to press charges against the officer. Now that PC Williams has been cleared of the charges, the police watchdog will collaborate with North Wales Police to determine if there are any grounds for gross misconduct disciplinary proceedings.
Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, PC Williams maintained that his actions were in response to the suspect’s resistance and the need to ensure the safety of himself and his colleague. The outcome of the trial vindicates his position, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced by police officers in high-pressure situations. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and due process in assessing allegations of misconduct within law enforcement
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