A POLICEMAN who was involved in the arrest of a man in Porthmadog which was shared widely on social media, who denied strangling and assaulting him, will not stand trial until next year.

Richard Williams, 42, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and non-fatal strangulation in February.

His trial was due to start today (September 16) at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court), but was instead adjourned until April 28, 2025.

The trial of Williams, who was suspended by North Wales Police, is listed for five days at Caernarfon Crown Court.

He is accused of assaulting and strangling Steven Clark while attempting to arrest him in Pensyflog, Porthmadog on May 10, 2023, in the garden of a property.

At about 11am on May 10, two officers were sent to a reported disturbance at an address in the town.

Then, at roughly 11.50am, the officers located a man in the garden of a nearby house and arrested him.

While enroute to the police station, it was noticed that the man appeared to be unwell and was given first aid.

He was then taken by ambulance to hospital and was later released back into police custody.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has examined police body-worn video and phone footage of the incident, taken witness statements including from the alleged victim, and located relevant CCTV footage.

Jasmine Moxey-Butler, of Slee Blackwell Solicitors Actions, is acting for Mr Clark, and said: “It’s disappointing that the matter has been adjourned until mid-2025."