PC sacked for smashing ex-girlfriend's phone in row

Owain Lewis has been sacked from North Wales Police after a police misconduct hearing

A police officer who smashed his ex girlfriend's phone during an argument has been sacked.

Owain Lewis also threw a tray of food towards the woman, a fellow PC, and got into a scuffle with male colleague after he found the two "in a state of undress" in the then-couple's spare bedroom.

A misconduct hearing was told Mr Lewis and his ex partner had been in an eight-year relationship before it ended in summer 2022.

A panel found his behaviour towards her amounted to gross misconduct.

A hearing at the force's Colwyn Bay headquarters was told Mr Lewis punched a mirror and was in a "brief scuffle" with the male colleague after finding his girlfriend in their spare bedroom in September 2022, while the couple were still living together in Buckley, Flintshire.

After the discovery Mr Lewis threw a baking tray bearing cold food "in the direction of, but not at" his partner.

She was said to have been unhappy in their relationship and attracted to their colleague.

The hearing was told she and the male police colleague were spotted kissing at a party two months before the first incident, which led to rumours spreading among colleagues and Mr Lewis getting upset.

The panel concluded Mr Lewis’ behaviour during that evening in September did not amount to gross misconduct.

The misconduct hearing was held at North Wales Police's headquarters in Colwyn Bay

But later that December after he had moved out of their home, Mr Lewis returned to it after a night out in Chester at about 04:00 GMT where an argument broke out with his ex.

The panel heard she jabbed her phone at his chest and found PC Lewis reacted "recklessly" by throwing her phone away in a temper and breaking it.

His decision to attend the property was called "poor" by the panel, and Mr Lewis was said to have "pursued" an argument and engaged in "unacceptable" violence against his former partner's property.

Mr Lewis was said to have been left "heartbroken" by events, and claimed not to have gone there looking for a row.

But the misconduct panel found that incident made it "incompatible" for Mr Lewis to continue in his job.

The panel said police perpetuating domestic violence was "of concern" but accepted this was not a "typical" case, and noted Mr Lewis' previous good character and record of service.

The panel found gross misconduct was proven and decided the only appropriate outcome was dismissal without notice.

The officer had already been suspended from his job.

In addition he will be placed on a list barring him from serving as a police officer again.

North Wales Police called the former PC’s actions "inappropriate, unprofessional, and totally unacceptable" and said it took domestic abuse seriously.

After the hearing Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said: "Former PC Lewis’ actions were inappropriate, unprofessional, and totally unacceptable.

"This type of conduct seriously undermines trust and confidence in policing."