Police officer who put suspect in headlock and punched him 9 times faces misconduct hearing

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.

A woman told officers, Clark, then 34, was "off his head on wacky backy" and possibly other drugs.

The misconduct hearing was played several clips of police body-worn camera footage, as well as mobile phone video recorded by onlookers.

When police tried to arrest Clark, the misconduct hearing was told things "take a turn", and the suspect ended up on the ground.

It is alleged Williams used handcuffs to "cause pain to Clark's wrist", who "winced and reacted".

It is also alleged he put Clark in a headlock, which it is claimed was "unreasonable".

Clark claimed he "could not breathe", and later suggested during police interview he was losing consciousness.

It is also claimed Clark "is punched by Williams nine times in the face or head", and that "punching Clark nine times in the face was not a reasonable use of force".

The hearing was told "it is nine pretty quick punches" with no pause for reflection.

Four allegations relate to the use, or apparent use, of incapacitant spray.

Another is that Clark was "thrown or dropped into the van" while trying to resist.

It is claimed the eight allegations "amount to an unreasonable use of force".

The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.