23-07-2025
Moment millionaire mining tycoon 'gets in solicitor's face and pushes him against a window' after he refused to be a witness in court battle
The moment a millionaire mining tycoon seemingly got in a solicitor's face and pushed him against a window after he refused to be a witness in court was caught on CCTV.
David Lewis confronted Robert Davies MBE outside the lawyer's office in Newport.
Mr Lewis, whose company operated Merthyr Tydfil's controversial Ffos-y-Fran mine, was cautioned for assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and was later prosecuted.
However, the case has since been dropped, prompting Mr Davies to release CCTV of the ordeal.
The dramatic footage, seen first by WalesOnline, appears to show 75-year-old Mr Davies exiting the office to his firm, RDP Law, while Mr Lewis is outside in his car.
Lewis is outside in his car.
The mining tycoon, 68, then exits the vehicle and approaches Mr Davies before appearing to get right in his face.
Mr Lewis then seems to follow him to the side of the building, with the lawyer appeared to be pinned up against a window.
Mr Lewis then seems to follow him to the side of the building in Newport
Mr Lewis is the director of Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd, which ran Ffos y Fran - the UK's last opencast coal mine - from 2007 until two years ago when it shut down.
The company is currently embroiled in controversy over the land's restoration.
Mr Davies has claimed the background to the confrontation regards a civil court case. He told WalesOnline: 'In April 2024, proceedings between companies controlled by Mr Lewis, and a third party, were heard by the High Court in London. Both parties had wanted me as a witness; I declined, but appeared when summoned by the court to do so.'
After Mr Davies provided evidence in the High Court, he claims he received a visit from Mr Lewis on May 16 last year while heading out the office.
In a statement to police, he said: 'I noticed there was a black convertible car parked in the bay immediately to the right of the front door of the office as one walks out.
'As I was leaving the front entrance, I turned left towards my car and heard someone call: 'Come here you f***ing little s***.'
After a police investigation was carried out, a PC emailed Mr Davies: 'Mr Lewis will receive a conditional caution for [assault occasioning actual bodily harm] with the condition to attend a victim awareness course.'
After being cautioned, Mr Lewis allegedly failed to comply with the condition, which led to a prosecution being brought for ABH.
However, when Mr Lewis appeared at Newport Magistrates' Court this month, the case was reportedly dropped, leaving Mr Davies furious.
Prosecutor Adam Warner later wrote to Mr Davies saying: 'I am writing to let you know that I have reviewed the charge of assault occasioning you actual bodily harm on May 16, 2024, and made the decision to stop the prosecution. The reason for my decision is that a six-month time limit to commence a prosecution for the appropriate offence has passed.'
MailOnline has contacted Mr Davies for comment, and attempted to contact Mr Lewis for comment.
