Prince of Wales doorman assaulted

Sunday 16 February 2020

A man who resisted arrest after assaulting a doorman at the Prince of Wales pub has been given a suspended prison sentence and community service.

James Lesbirel, 34, had been out drinking on 26 May last year when he became frustrated with the victim, who wouldn't allow him back into the pub.

The defendant went on to physically assault the doorman in front of a large crowd of people.

When Guernsey Police officers arrived, Lesbirel refused to put his arms behind his back for handcuffs. He pushed away while shouting and screaming at the officers, and eventually had to be taken to the floor to be contained. During the struggle he sustained a cut above his eye.

Pictured: The defendant was sentenced by Guernsey's Magistrate's Court for resisting arrest.

Once down, he continued to resist and put his arms underneath his body so police couldn't reach them. Officers did manage to pull them apart though and he was taken to the police van, where he was given a pat down search.

He began by politely telling the officers, "I don't have any drugs," before turning aggressive. He told them they were being "bang out of order" and began squaring up to them whilst shouting. Officers were concerned about what he might do next, so once again took him to the ground.

At this point, Lesbirel started threatening the officers, calling them names and asking "why don't I just smash you?".

He was taken to A&E where he continued squaring up to officers, making the nurse's job very difficult.

Eventually, the defendant quietened down.

Pictured: The defendant was taken to the PEH. 

Lesbirel originally pleaded not guilty to the assault charge, but was found guilty when the offence went to trial.

"Mr Lesbirel accepts that his behaviour was thoroughly out of order," said defence Advocate Paul Lockwood, who also noted that alcohol had played a part in the incidents.

"The situation is utterly unlikely to ever repeat itself," he added. "It shocked everyone that knows Mr Lesbirel. He's ashamed and embarrassed about what has happened. He's not going to be going out and drinking to this extent again, full stop."

However, Advocate Lockwood said he knew Judge Graeme McKerrell would be "concerned with the need to send out a message that door staff must be protected."

Judge McKerrell gave the defendant credit for his early guilty pleas to the two resisting arrest charges, but said he "remains in denial about the [assault] offence".

Lesbirel was given a three month suspended sentence, which he will have to serve if he commits any further crimes within the next year-and-a-half. He will also have to complete 80 hours of community service and pay £500 to the doorman in compensation.

Pictured top: The Prince of Wales pub.