What those hoping to take control of South Wales Police said about a press photographer arrested while doing his job

Dimitris Legakis, who lives in Swansea, was wrestled to the ground and arrested in October 2023 while trying to do his job. He attended the scene of a car fire in Swansea, where it would later emerge that a man called David Clarke had murdered his husband. woman Helen Clarke by hitting her with a hammer, dousing her with petrol and setting her on fire.

Police had set up a cordon and Mr Legakis stood outside the cordon taking photographs while standing on public property. Members of the public walked by and some of them became angry with him. They started yelling at him and pushing him when a police officer approached.

Mr Legakis was then arrested, thrown into a police van, held for 15 hours and charged with assaulting a police officer. His camera, lenses, drone and memory cards were all seized.

Seven months later he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on these charges. But the day before something strange happened. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges. They told the judge there was no evidence of assault on the police body camera recording and the plaintiff’s lawyer admitted the police officer’s original statement “does not coincide” with what he later said in his victim personal statement .

The force is investigating the incident, but those running for the position of the new police and crime commissioner have said the incident “erodes confidence”. Sam Bennett, the Welsh Liberal Democrat PCC candidate for South Wales Police, said in his comments: “I am pleased that this case against Mr Legakis has been dismissed and I hope that more will be done in the future to to prevent this type of abuse of police powers.

“Cases like these do nothing but erode public confidence. More must be done to prevent individual errors of judgment from tainting an entire force. This issue goes to the heart of community policing; we need a razor-sharp focus on restoring public trust in our society. police here in South Wales.” Support award-winning journalism with WalesOnline’s Premium App Apple or Android

Dennis Clarke, the Plaid Cymru PCC candidate, said: “Journalists and photographers have the right to report from crime scenes. This can be a vital independent account of events that will help the public better understand events. Any attempt to hinder or intimidate journalists from doing their duty threatens the fundamental principles of press freedom and democracy and must be addressed with the utmost seriousness. I have been involved in many incidents where similar complaints have been made and I fully understand the investigations can go wrong.

“The CPS and South Wales Police must thoroughly investigate what happened in this unjust case with the utmost urgency, seriousness and transparency. I have the skills and experience to oversee these investigations.”

The current PCC, Alun Michael, is a Labor politician who will stand down at the next election. Commenting on Mr Legakis’ case, his office said only: “We are aware that this matter is currently under investigation after a complaint was made to South Wales Police’s professional standards department. Until that investigation is completed, and we are aware of the findings, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

Emma Wools, who will stand as a candidate for the Labor Party, told WalesOnline: “Mr Legakis raises a number of important questions in his statement to the press about the incident. A complaint has been received by SWP and is being investigated by the Professional Standards Department. The incident and the questions raised must be fully investigated and the outcome reported in a transparent manner as soon as possible. Until the findings are known, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

George Carroll will stand as a candidate for the Conservative Party.

Commenting to WalesOnline, a spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “On Friday, September 22 last year, emergency services were called to the scene of a car fire in Sketty Lane, Swansea. Helen Clarke, aged 77, subsequently died after being attacked with a hammer, doused with gasoline and set on fire.

“Officers were attempting to extend the police cordon around the scene when an incident occurred which led to a 47-year-old man being arrested and later charged with offences. Before a trial was due to take place at Swansea Crown Court, the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was no longer sufficient evidence to continue the prosecution.

“A complaint regarding the seizure of equipment from the arrested man is already the subject of an ongoing investigation by South Wales Police. Following the CPS decision and in response to several allegations that have been made, we will be re-investigating this matter. .”