Police officer filmed punching man nine times in the head during arrest 'when he tried to break into house' is cleared of wrongdoing and will keep his job

A police officer filmed punching a 'violent' suspect who was resisting arrest after attempting to break into a house while 'off his head' on drugs has been cleared of misconduct and will keep his job. 

PC Richard Williams, 44, faced disciplinary action after footage emerged showing him restraining 34-year-old Steven Clark during an arrest in Porthmadog, North Wales, in May 2023.

The video showed Clark being told to 'stop resisting' as Williams repeatedly struck him on the side of the head while attempting to restrain him.

Police were called after a report that Clark was attempting to get into a home on a housing estate following a domestic argument.

Officers were also told that Clark was 'off his head' on cannabis and amphetamines and had a documented history of making violent threats, including threats involving a knife.

Williams was accused of using excessive force and was suspended while the case was investigated.

He faced nine allegations of misconduct and also stood trial at Caernarfon Crown Court, where he was cleared of intentional strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Following a five-day misconduct hearing, a panel ruled that the allegations against the officer had not been proven.

North Wales Police officer PC Richard Williams, 44, has been cleared of all misconduct allegations and will return to full duties after being filmed punching 34-year-old Steven Clark nine times during a May 2023 arrest in Porthmadog

Williams defended the actions as 'distraction strikes' to gain control after Clark resisted arrest,

Williams told the disciplinary panel that he had used what he described as 'distraction strikes' because he was unable to reach his baton or Taser during the confrontation.

He said Clark was resisting arrest and claimed he had previously rugby-tackled a female officer to the ground.

Williams said: 'I had my hands around him, which naturally led to a headlock, but he continued to resist - he was pulling away from me.

'I was concerned for my safety and my colleague's safety.'

The officer said his intention was to briefly distract Clark so he could bring him under control and complete the arrest.

He said: 'I thought my best option would be distraction strikes.

'My intent was to distract Steven Clark to move to a ground pin. I didn't want to use one punch, as it would give him time to react.

'I was doing the best I could in a difficult situation. I do not feel that I did anything wrong.'

Clark gave evidence during the hearing and described the incident from his perspective. He said he remembered little of the confrontation other than calling for help.

Clark said: 'I couldn't breathe. He was choking me. He started punching me over and over.'

He also told the panel that a previous motorcycle accident had left him with nerve damage in his right arm, making certain movements painful.

Clark said he had asked officers to handcuff him with his arms in front of his body because of the injury, but his request was not followed.

A separate clip shows Clark being led to a police van with his eye and face visibly swollen.

A separate clip shows Steven Clark being led to a police van

After watching the footage following his release from police custody, Clark became emotional while describing what he remembered.

'My body was like jelly... him twisting my neck right back... one officer sitting on me - I couldn't breathe,' he said.

The case followed an Independent Office for Police Conduct-led investigation, as well as the criminal proceedings at Crown Court.

Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said both the criminal investigation and misconduct process had now concluded.

'Having now been cleared by a misconduct panel which reviewed all the evidence and also a crown court trial where he was found not guilty, this matter is now at an end,' he said.

'I look forward to PC Williams returning to full duties.'

He added that police officers regularly face dangerous and difficult situations while carrying out their work.

'Rightly there should be public scrutiny but also a recognition of the challenges that they face trying to keep the public safe,' Harrison said.

With the misconduct allegations dismissed and the criminal case concluded, PC Williams is expected to return to full duties with North Wales Police.