Club anger at roller 'prank' police inquiry; Rugby officials report force to IPCC.

Byline: Echo Reporter

A VALLEYS rugby club has accused a police force of lacking "fairness and objectivity" during its investigation into a woman hit by a heavy-duty lawn roller.

Merthyr Tydfil RFC referred Dyfed-Powys Police to the Independent Police Complaints' Commission (IPCC) after claiming its reputation was damaged by being heavily linked to the incident on August 29, it emerged last night. The inquiry was sparked when, in an apparent prank that S wrong, a 5ft-wide cast iron roller hit 26-year-old rugby player Emma Winch in the head as she slept in her tent at a seven-a-side tournament.

Twenty-one members of Merthyr Tydfil RFC youth team were arrested, but were released without charge after they declined to comment or denied any involvement.

Ms Winch, of Bridgend, was treated for head injuries after being hurt at the tournament in Aberaeron, Ceredigion.

Earlier this month, Inspector Nicola S Carter said she wrote to the club and Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chairman David Pickering appealing for their help.

She said: "I hope that by writing to the club and WRU that common sense will prevail and someone will say 'sorry, it was me'."

Merthyr RFC, who had maintained their silence for more than a week "to avoid prejudicing the investigation", issued a statement on their website after a number of their sponsors pulled out.

Wishing Miss Winch a speedy recovery, the statement added: "Merthyr RFC understands that in the immediate aftermath of this regrettable incident, police officers from Dyfed-Powys Police presented 20 young men from Merthyr RFC to witnesses who had seen the perpetrators.

"The witnesses indicated that no member of the Merthyr delegation was responsible.

"The 20 players, aged 16 and 17 years old, were nevertheless arrested. A further member of Merthyr RFC was arrested on his return to the camp site after the police had arrived.

"Seven of the young men spent up to 13 hours in police custody. Despite a four-week investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police the club have no reason to believe that any evidence has been obtained to link the club or its players to this incident.

"All players denied any responsibility for the incident at the scene.

"Merthyr RFC calls upon Dyfed-Powys Police to explain their recent statement that the club 'holds the key' to the inquiry and to share any evidence upon which that apparently unfounded assertion was based.

"The club itself now intends to lodge a formal complaint against Dyfed-Powys Police citing a lack of fairness and objectivity in its handling of the matter which has caused significant damage to the reputation of Merthyr RFC and in particular its youth section.

"In addition, a number of the players involved have made complaints about the police action on the night.

"The IPCC has been asked to look into the case. Several of those detained are now seeking legal advice in respect of their alleged unlawful detention by Dyfed-Powys Police."

A spokesman for the IPCC said it had referred the matter back to Dyfed-Powys for investigation.

CAPTION(S):

Emma Winch was hit in the head by a heavy duty roller as she slept in her tent at a seven-a-side rugby tournament