'Garden-hopper' gets suspended sentence

Monday 23 September 2019

A visitor to Guernsey has been given a suspended prison sentence by the island's Magistrate's Court after he 'garden-hopped' to get away from police and damaged two properties in the process.

Guernsey Police were called to a flat on 27 July where they arrested all occupants on suspicion of cannabis usage.

James Smith was one of four people who attempted to escape. While the other three were quickly detained, the defendant carried on by running through neighbouring gardens.

When officers eventually caught up and detained him, they noticed his clothes were wet.

One property saw damage to a wall, fruit bushes, plant pots, pottery and a fish pond - where a number of koi carp were killed. The owner of the property became alarmed by the noise and went outside to see what was going on, when he tripped over one of the plant pots that had been knocked over. He had to go to the emergency department for treatment to a sprained wrist.

Pictured: Some koi carp fish were killed during Smith's escape.

Bathroom tiles, a plant box, plant pots, a sun lounger and a storage shed were damaged at another property, with an estimated value of about £200.

Although the damage was not intentional, Smith admitted he had paid little attention to garden obstacles in his effort to escape.

On sentencing, Judge Graeme McKerrell gave the defendant credit for his previous good character.

"You've served your country and I've no doubt you served it well," he said.

Smith, who was visiting the island during the summer, was given a two month suspended prison sentence, which he will have to serve if he commits another crime in Guernsey within the next two years. He will have to pay £160 to the first victim to cover his hospital bills and £200 to the second to cover damage costs. The first victim has claimed damage costs from his house insurance.

"Please do not come back to Guernsey but if you must, don't commit any further offences," said Judge McKerrell.

Pictured top: File image.