North Wales Police officer who punched suspect 9 times in head faces misconduct hearing

Figure caption, PC Richard Williams was filmed punching a suspect with one hand as he gripped the man's neck with his other arm

A police officer who punched a suspect nine times in the head used unreasonable force on multiple occasions, a police misconduct hearing has been told.

PC Richard Williams faces eight allegations relating to the arrest of Steven Clark, including using a headlock or "choker", unreasonable use of incapacitant spray, and throwing or dropping Clark into the back of a police van.

A misconduct hearing at North Wales Police headquarters in Colwyn Bay heard Williams denies wrongdoing.

He was cleared of assault and intentional strangulation following a seven-day trial in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, in 2025.

In May 2023, police were called to Porthmadog in Gwynedd, following a report of a domestic argument.