Swansea press photographer should not ‘worry doing his job’

A press photographer arrested whereas protecting a fireplace at a automobile dealership and who had his conviction thrown out mentioned he shouldn’t must be fearful doing his job.

Dimitris Legakis, from Swansea, was discovered responsible by magistrates final yr for what has now been described as making “insulting comments” to fireplace officers on the scene of the blaze at Day’s Motorpark in Gorseinon in August 2024.

Prosecutor Alexandra Wilson informed Swansea Crown Court that after reviewing the proof and speaking to witnesses, opposing the enchantment was “no longer in the public interest”.

Another public order allegation towards Mr Legakis was thrown out in courtroom final yr in what a choose described as “a disturbing” case.

“I’m forced to carry a body cam with me whenever I’m covering something by myself,” he mentioned.

“I shouldn’t be fearing doing my work and going out and about, and taking pictures, or even speaking my mind, as I did,” he mentioned.

South Wales Police has refused to remark.

Mr Legakis, a contract photographer who runs the Athena Picture Agency in Swansea, was arrested whereas protecting the hearth which broken greater than 20 autos.

Representing Mr Legakis, defence barrister James Hartson mentioned his consumer was an “accredited and respected freelance photojournalist” and had misplaced work following the conviction.

“This is the second time he’s been dragged into the criminal court for what appears to be ‘upsetting’ a police officer,” Mr Hartson added.

Mr Hartson informed the courtroom it was time the police realised “it is not a criminal offence to be insulting”.

“That appears to be the test which is applied to Mr Legakis at every time he appears at a scene of an incident to do his job.

“There is a transparent infringement of his human rights. If police do not agree with him, they lock him up and throw him in a van,” he added.

Speaking after his case was thrown out, Mr Legakis told BBC Wales he was “relieved” with the outcome, saying he has had sleepless nights due to the case.

“It was horrendous,” he mentioned.

He additionally mentioned it was “embarrassing” to tell clients he had a court case against him.

Mr Legakis said he was arrested after calling a fire officer “a coward” after he allegedly “made handcuff gestures” towards him as he was taking photographs from the pavement.

He said he “completely doesn’t” regret his remarks and rejected the suggestion that his use of language was provocative.

“It’s a freedom of human rights, of expression… for those who disagree with somebody or increase you voice… it is lower than the police to police that and subsequently arrest you. I felt betrayed,” he added.

“It does fear me. The downside I’m having is more often than not I’m working on my own.”

He added that he felt “resentment” due to the delay in the appeal process.

On Friday, Judge Huw Rees told Swansea Crown Court there was “now not a conviction” against Mr Legakis as he permitted the appeal.

The prosecution told the court there was “not sufficient proof” and it did not meet the test of the Section 5 Public Order Act.

Judge Rees told the court he understood Mr Hartson’s “ardour” and asked why the case had not been reviewed sooner.

“We have little different apart from to permit the enchantment,” he told Mr Legakis.

The Crown Prosecution Service, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been requested to remark.