Police probe loss of video evidence (From Free Press Series)

Police probe loss of video evidence

POLICE have pledged to investigate a complaint made by a Caldicot couple who claim CCTV footage of a serious assault has been lost.

As reported in last week's Free Press, Mel Samuel, 36, and her husband Simon, 27, of Elm Road, spoke of their anger after video evidence of an alleged vicious assault on Mr Samuel was lost, and they were told the case was being thrown out of court due to lack of evidence.

Mr Samuel says he suffered serious facial injuries after being subjected to a vicious attack in full view of CCTV cameras in Newport Road, Caldicot, last year.

The incident was picked up by CCTV operators, who alerted the police. Two men were later arrested.

But at a second court appearance, Mr and Mrs Samuels were told by the Crown prosecutor the tape had been lost and the case was being dismissed.

The couple have called for an apology from the police and an explanation of what went wrong.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said: "Following concerns raised by Mr and Mrs Samuel in relation to CCTV evidence of an alleged attack against them, and the dismissal of the case against those accused of assaulting them, Gwent Police will be carrying out an investigation into the matter."

Mrs Samuel said: "I am pleased the police are investigating the matter. I still haven't heard from Caldicot Police, and I would like an apology for Simon's sake more than anything."