Woman fined following photographer's private prosecution for assault

A PHOTOGRAPHER who was manhandled in the street while taking pictures has taken out a private prosecution for assault against his assailant.

- JASON EVANS Court and crime reporter

Photographer Dimitris Legakis.

(ROB BROWNE)

Dimitris Legakis was snapping photos of a public event on Swansea’s Wind Street when the incident happened.

The photographer says he took out the private prosecution after “months of inaction” from the police, inaction which he said prompted him to also make a complaint to the force’s professional standards department.

Police said an investigation was started but there was insufficient evidence for the matter to be pursued.

Swansea Magistrates’ Court heard that the assault happened on Boxing Day last year when Mr Legakis was taking pictures of the annual Three Counties Bloodhounds hunt, a “clean boot” hunt where riders follow human runners.

During the event the photographer was followed and approached by the defendant, Ruth Morgan, who said members of the hunt were asking him to delete photographs involving a child participant in the event.

Morgan then grabbed the photographer by the arm of his jacket as he tried to walk away.

The court heard the pair approached a policeman on duty in Wind Street with Mr Legakis telling the officer the defendant would not let him go, and Morgan telling the officer about the request to delete the pictures. The officer told Morgan it was a public space. Mr Legakis then walked off. Video evidence of the incident was played in court during the hearing.

On January 9 this year the photographer made an online report alleging assault.

Ruth Morgan, of Hen Parc Lane, Upper Killay, Swansea, pleaded guilty to assault by beating when she appeared at court. She has no previous convictions.

Matt Murphy, for Morgan, said the defendant had approached the complainant minutes after the Wind Street incident and apologised for her actions. He said his client was a woman with no previous convictions, and said she was extremely concerned that her conviction would lead to the loss of her employment.