# Police officer cleared after punching suspect nine times during arrest

> Police officer cleared of misconduct after video shows him punching man nine times in head during arrest attempt.
- Title: Police officer cleared after punching suspect nine times…
- Summary: Police officer cleared of misconduct after video shows him punching man nine times in head during arrest attempt. Police officer PC Richard Williams was…
- Keywords: police officer, punching, arrest, north wales, steven clark, richard williams, porthmadog, misconduct, video evidence, crown court, excessive force, drug use
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16142747/Police-officer-filmed-punching-man-nine-times-head-arrest-tried-break-house-cleared-wrongdoing-job.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-09-18T17:35:56+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: police officer, punching, arrest, north wales, steven clark, richard williams, porthmadog, misconduct, video evidence, crown court, excessive force, drug use
## Video shows officer punching suspect
Police officer PC Richard Williams filmed punching 34-year-old Steven Clark nine times in the head during a May 2023 arrest in Porthmadog, North Wales.

> when he tried to break into house
## Officer cleared of misconduct
PC Richard Williams was cleared of misconduct after a five-day hearing found the nine allegations against him not proven.
## Officer claims distraction strikes
Williams said he used 'distraction strikes' to gain control after Clark resisted arrest, claiming he had rugby-tackled a female officer.
## Clark described choking
Clark said he couldn't breathe and Williams was choking him while punching him repeatedly during the arrest.
## Clark had nerve damage
Clark told the panel he had nerve damage in his right arm from a motorcycle accident, making certain movements painful.
## Clark requested handcuffs
Clark asked officers to handcuff him with arms in front of his body due to his nerve damage but his request was not followed.
## Clark's injuries visible
A separate clip shows Clark being led to a police van with his eye and face visibly swollen after the arrest.
## Officer defended actions
Williams said his intention was to briefly distract Clark to move to a ground pin without using one punch.
## Crown court cleared
Williams was cleared of intentional strangulation and assault causing actual bodily harm at Caernarfon Crown Court.
## Officer returns to duties
PC Williams is expected to return to full duties with North Wales Police after the misconduct case concluded.
## Police chief comments
Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said both the criminal investigation and misconduct process had now concluded.
## Public scrutiny acknowledged
Harrison added that police officers regularly face dangerous situations and public scrutiny should be balanced with recognition of their challenges.
## Officer's safety concerns
Williams said he was concerned for his safety and his colleague's safety during the confrontation with Clark.
## Clark's memory of incident
Clark described his body feeling like jelly with Williams twisting his neck right back and one officer sitting on him.
## Investigation completed
The case followed an Independent Office for Police Conduct-led investigation and criminal proceedings at Crown Court.
## Case closed
With misconduct allegations dismissed and the criminal case concluded, PC Williams is expected to return to full duties with North Wales Police.
## Key takeaway

Police officer PC Richard Williams was cleared of misconduct after video showed him punching 34-year-old Steven Clark nine times during a May 2023 arrest in Porthmadog, North Wales.