BBC
Freelance photographer Dimitris Legakis was arrested while covering a fire at a car dealership
A press photographer arrested while covering a fire at a car dealership and who had his conviction thrown out said he should not have to be fearful doing his job.
Dimitris Legakis, from Swansea, was found guilty by magistrates last year for what has now been described as making “insulting comments” to fire officers at the scene of the blaze at Day’s Motorpark in Gorseinon in August 2024.
Prosecutor Alexandra Wilson told Swansea Crown Court that after reviewing the evidence and talking to witnesses, opposing the appeal was “no longer in the public interest”.
Another public order allegation against Mr Legakis was thrown out in court last year in what a judge described as “a disturbing” case.
Speaking after the court case on Friday he said: “I’m forced to carry a body cam with me whenever I’m covering something by myself.
“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 said.
South Wales Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have refused to comment.
Mr Legakis, a freelance photographer who runs the Athena Picture Agency in Swansea, was arrested while covering the fire which damaged more than 20 vehicles.
Representing Mr Legakis, defence barrister James Hartson said his client was an “accredited and respected freelance photojournalist” and had lost 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 Legakis, who runs the Athena Picture Agency in Swansea, was arrested while covering a fire in August 2024
Mr Hartson told the court 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 clear infringement of his human rights. If police don’t 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 said.
He also said 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 “absolutely does not” regret his remarks and rejected the suggestion that his use of language was provocative.
Athena Pictures
Dimitris Legakis was photographing a fire at a car dealership when he was arrested
“It’s a freedom of human rights, of expression… if you disagree with someone or raise you voice… it’s not up to the police to police that and subsequently arrest you. I felt betrayed,” he added.
“It does worry me. The problem I’m having is most of the time I’m working by myself.”
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 “no longer a conviction” against Mr Legakis as he permitted the appeal.
The prosecution told the court there was “not enough evidence” and it did not meet the test of the Section 5 Public Order Act.
Judge Rees told the court he understood Mr Hartson’s “passion” and asked why the case had not been reviewed sooner.
“We have little alternative other than to allow the appeal,” he told Mr Legakis.
The Crown Prosecution Service and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service have been asked to comment.
