Policeman faces blackmail charge

Pc Raymond Clark was bailed at Newport Crown Court on 19 March

A serving South Wales Police officer has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Pc Raymond Clark has been suspended from duty after being arrested and charged by Gwent Police on 18 February.

He was granted conditional bail at Newport Crown Court on 19 March.

The IPCC will also look at why the force was initially unable to confirm Pc Clark was an officer because it could not find his name on its records.

An IPCC spokesman said: "The IPCC is managing the misconduct investigation being conducted by the professional standards department at South Wales Police.

"This will also look at the reasons why confirmation of the identification of Pc Clark as a serving police officer in South Wales was not confirmed at an earlier stage in the inquiry."