PC seen punching man in video cleared of assault

A North Wales Police serviceman filmed punching a antheral repeatedly during an apprehension has been cleared of assault.

A assemblage recovered PC Richard Williams, 43, not blameworthy of battle causing existent bodily harm and a 2nd complaint of intentional strangulation pursuing a seven-day proceedings successful Caernarfon.

The serviceman faced the allegations pursuing an incidental successful May 2023 erstwhile helium was called to a study of a home incidental successful Porthmadog, Gwynedd.

Mr Williams insisted the unit utilized was necessary, telling the tribunal however the fishy had resisted apprehension and had already knocked a pistillate workfellow to the ground.

Mr Williams said helium did not privation to wounded Steven Clark, who was 34 astatine the time.

He told a assemblage during his defence that the 9 punches to Mr Clark's caput were "distraction blows" erstwhile they were some lying connected the crushed and helium could not scope his taser oregon baton.

He told the court: "I had my hands astir him, which people led to a headlock, but helium continued to defy – helium was pulling distant from me.

"I was acrophobic for my information and my colleague's safety."

The full incidental was captured connected a mobile telephone by a neighbour overlooking the plot connected the Pensyflog property successful Porthmadog. The clip past went viral connected societal media.

It led to an probe by the constabulary watchdog body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a determination to complaint the officer.

Mr Williams was suspended by the unit pending the result of the trial.