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A freelance press photographer, Dimitris Legakis, based in Swansea, who was previously convicted for allegedly making “insulting comments” to emergency officers at the scene of a fire in a car dealership, has had his conviction overturned by Swansea Crown Court. The incident occurred at Day’s Motorpark in Gorseinon in August 2024. The prosecutor, Alexandra Wilson, no longer opposed the appeal after re-evaluating the evidence and speaking to witnesses, stating that it was not in the public interest to continue with the case.
In addition to the recent successful overturning of the conviction, another public order allegation against Mr. Legakis was also dismissed in court last year, with a judge deeming the case as “disturbing.” Mr. Legakis, a respected freelance photojournalist who owns the Athena Picture Agency in Swansea, was arrested while covering a fire that resulted in damage to more than 20 vehicles. His defense barrister, James Hartson, highlighted that Mr. Legakis suffered professional setbacks due to the conviction, despite being an accredited and respected professional in his field.
During the court proceedings, Mr. Hartson emphasized that being insulting to police officers is not a criminal offense and reiterated the importance of recognizing and respecting Mr. Legakis’ rights in his profession. Judge Huw Rees, presiding over the case at Swansea Crown Court, ultimately ruled in favor of Mr. Legakis, stating that there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction under the Section 5 Public Order Act. The judge acknowledged Mr. Hartson’s dedication to the case and questioned why it took so long for the review to be conducted, leading to the successful appeal for Mr. Legakis.
Following the court’s decision, Judge Rees confirmed that there was no longer a conviction against Mr. Legakis, effectively clearing his name of the charges brought against him. The prosecution’s acknowledgment of the lack of evidence and failure to meet the legal threshold for the Section 5 Public Order Act ultimately led to the dismissal of the case against Mr. Legakis. The court’s decision marked a significant victory for Mr. Legakis, reaffirming his rights as a professional photographer and journalist in performing his duties without unnecessary legal repercussions
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