Police officer admits criminal damage (From Western Telegraph)

Police officer admits criminal damage

4:20pm Saturday 29th September 2012 in News

A Dyfed-Powys Police officer with “a lifelong issue with his temper” burned his partner’s son’s clothes on a garden chiminea, a court has heard.

David Stephen Davies, 40, of near Cardigan, was handed a restraining order by a district judge at Haverfordwest magistrates court after previously pleading guilty to two counts of criminal damage.

He is also now facing police misconduct proceedings.

The court was told that on March 22nd Davies lost his temper and removed the belongings of two of his partner’s children from his home, causing damage to the property.

When one of his partner’s sons kicked Davies’ car he responded by burning his clothes on a chiminea in the garden, the court heard.

District judge Vivian Manning-Davies said the behaviour was unacceptable from anyone, but particularly a serving police officer.

A total of £600 has been paid in compensation to both victims since the incident, the court was told.

The judge heard that one of Davies’ partner’s children has disabilities and the difficult domestic situation had led to friction.

The judge also considered medical evidence, which said the defendant had told his doctor he had a lifelong issue with his temper starting from the age of eight and had been taking medication to help the problem.

Judge Manning-Davies said: “On the day in question the defendant snapped, he could take it no more.”

He added: “My conclusion after much consideration is that a restraining order is necessary.”

The judge made a restraining order in relation to the two victims for two years, sentenced Davies to a conditional discharge of two months and ordered him to pay costs of £85.

A spokesman for Dyfed- Powys Police said: “We can confirm there are misconduct proceedings pending in this case, and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”