Police officer pushed man to ground, hearing told

A POLICE officer has been accused of pushing a man to the ground and injuring his leg while trying to arrest him.

Pc Andrew Nealon was on duty in Cardiff city centre on September 21, 2016, when the alleged incident happened.

A South Wales Police misconduct hearing yesterday heard complainant Richard Jones and three friends were on a night out during university freshers week and attempted to gain entry to Rainbow Casino in Mary Ann Street.

Two of the group were refused to entry to the casino and staff asked Pc Nealon, of the eastern basic command unit, to assist them in removing them from the entrance.

Case presenter Jonathan Walters QC said Pc Nealon arrested Mr Jones on suspicion of drunken and disorderly behaviour.

While carrying out the arrest it is alleged an offensive comment was made by Mr Jones which made Pc Nealon push him to the floor. Mr Jones claims the push caused him to fall over and he sustained an injury to his leg.

This is denied by Pc Nealon, who claims Jones “came at him” and he held one or two arms out to gain control of him.

The incident was reported to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in August 2018.

Pc Nealon is accused of three breaches of professional misconduct – a breach of authority, respect and courtesy; use of force; and discreditable conduct.

Mr Walters said if it was not proven Pc Nealon had pushed Mr Jones all three alleged breaches would fail.

Panel chairman Peter Griffiths QC adjourned the hearing until 9.30am today.