Wales: BBC television director found not guilty of killing retired teacher | British News

A BBC TV director has been found not guilty of killing a retired high school teacher during a fight for Wales’ independence.

Hywel Williams, 40, has been accused of killing Peter Ormerod, 75, outside a pub in Burry Port, Carmathenshire, Wales on September 24, 2022.

Mr Williams pushed Mr Ormerod to the ground, causing him to crack his head open. He died in hospital four days later from an unsurvivable brain injury, Swansea Crown Court learned.

Mr Williams denied negligent homicide and insisted he felt “terrified” and “threatened” when the grandfather “attacked him”.

The TV director – who now works as director of Welsh soap opera Pobol Y Cwm – said he was on the phone and instinctively pushed Mr Ormerod away.

The prosecution took the position that the defendant did not have to use any physical force at all and that he was losing his temper.

In another clip shown to the jury, CCTV showed the two men chatting animatedly from inside the pub before exiting separately.

Mr Williams said he was fed up with the row over Welsh politics that angered Mr Ormerod.

He said he told Mr Ormerod: “I don’t have time for this mate*, I don’t want any of it.”

Mr Williams said Mr Ormerod replied: “Don’t you ever speak to me like that again.” How dare you speak to me like that?

Mr Williams said the two men verbally abused each other before pushing Mr Ormerod to the ground in self-defense.

He said, “I was scared and I pushed him.”

He said he didn’t mean to hurt Mr Ormerod, just push him away.

Mr Williams admitted to pushing Mr Ormerod when he contacted police and emergency services.

“I did everything I could to help him,” he told the court.

The judge released Mr Williams from the dock, describing the case as “terribly terribly sad” and offering his condolences to Mr Ormerod’s family.

In a tribute, Mr Ormerod’s family said: “Peter was a respected teacher and member of the community, a much loved and loving father, grandfather, brother and friend.”

The judge thanked the jury for the care with which they conducted their deliberations.

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