Porthmadog: Man held in headlock and punched by PC 'couldn't breathe'
A police misconduct hearing is underway regarding PC Richard Williams, who was filmed punching a suspect during an arrest in Porthmadog. The suspect, Steven Clark, testified that he struggled to breathe during the incident, while the officer denies allegations of using unreasonable force.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing debates regarding police accountability, the use of force, and the legal standards for physical restraint during arrests.
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 man has told a police misconduct hearing how he "couldn't breathe" as officers pinned him to the ground when they tried to arrest him.
Police attempted to arrest Steven Clark in Porthmadog, Gwynedd, when he ended up on the grass in a headlock, with one officer punching him nine times in the head, the hearing was told.
PC Richard Williams denies eight allegations of using unreasonable force.
The misconduct hearing follows a seven-day trial at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2025, where he was cleared of assault and intentional strangulation.
Police had been called to an estate following reports of a domestic argument in May 2023 where a woman told officers that Clark, then aged 34, was "off his head" on cannabis and speed.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in