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Teen lost 50% of testicle after PC kneed him - court

Brendon Williams
BBC News
BBC Ellis Thomas is seen walking in navy suit and tie and white shirt. He wears dark-rimmed glasses and has short brown hair.BBC
PC Ellis Thomas, seen leaving court on Tuesday, denies a charge of grievous bodily harm

A teenager lost half a testicle after being kneed in the groin by a police officer, a court has heard.

Harley Murphy was 17 when he was arrested outside Cube night club in Bangor, Gwynedd, in the early hours of 29 January 2023.

Mold Crown Court heard PC Ellis Thomas, from Anglesey, kneed him in the groin during the arrest, resulting in a ruptured testicle - 50% of which was later removed in an operation.

PC Thomas denies grievous bodily harm.

The court heard Mr Murphy admitted being drunk and an argument started outside the Cube after one of his friends was pushed down the stairs by bouncers.

Prosecutor Elen Owen said Mr Murphy insulted PC Thomas and another officer tried to get him to the ground.

As Mr Murphy was resisting, the court heard he was kneed in the groin.

"The pain was instant and like nothing he had felt before," Mr Murphy said.

Ms Owen said Mr Murphy was put in a police car and taken to a station.

The following day, he went to A&E at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor and 50% of the content of one of his testicles was "bulging out".

Half of the ruptured testicle was removed and doctors concluded "long-term pain is possible".

The prosecution told the jury CCTV evidence would be shown and the defendant "can be seen to raise his leg abruptly".

The court also heard the officer later told Mr Murphy: "You are calling me speccy and squaring up and pushing me, that's what you get."

He later told colleagues: "It was me who floored him," the court heard.

The Cube night club in Bangor seen from the street outside.
The incident took place outside the Cube night club in January 2023

Later, the jury watched the police interview with the teenager who told the interviewing officer he was "upset" by his friend being pushed down the stairs.

He admitted arguing with one officer because he felt police did not understand what was going on and said he swore at the officer wearing glasses.

"That's when he grabbed me to say I'm resisting," he said.

Mr Murphy said one officer "kneed me in my balls" and he was in "instant" pain that he had "never felt before".

After being put in the police car, he admitted trying to kick the door open, saying he "needed to be in hospital at the time".

Mr Murphy said he was pepper sprayed in the police car and was "sure it was the one with the glasses".

The trial continues.