Police officer suspended after Tesco Express rampage saw him 'smash iPhone 7'

18 March 2024 , 15:47

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Matthew O'Sullivan, 42, of River Walk, appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court (Image: Media Wales)

A police officer has been suspended from duty following an incident where he allegedly smashed a person’s iPhone at a Tescos store.

Sergeant Matthew O'Sullivan, from Merthyr Tydfil, is appealing after he was found guilty of damaging another person's phone at Tesco Express in Pontypridd. The 42-year-old, of River Walk, appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court last July over the incident which took place in August 2022.

He denied intentionally or recklessly breaking the iPhone 7 but District Judge Sophie Toms found him guilty of criminal damage and imposed a six-month conditional discharge, £775 in prosecution costs, £100 in compensation, and a £26 victim services surcharge. O'Sullivan's appeal against his conviction was due to be considered by a Cardiff Crown Court judge on Friday but the case was adjourned to July because not enough time had been allocated. The hearing is expected to last two days, WalesOnline reports.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "South Wales Police officer Matt O’Sullivan has appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court to face allegations of criminal damage. The officer is currently suspended from duty. Once the criminal proceedings are concluded the force can consider any misconduct matters."

Conor Gogarty