"He's at rock bottom"

Monday 11 November 2019

An unusual request from a man accused of committing a number of criminal offences to be remanded in custody has been met, but not because the defendant had asked the Magistrate to do so.

Judge Graeme McKerrell was presiding over Guernsey's Magistrate's Court when Matthew Papworth (35) appeared to face one charge of using threatening or insulting words or behaviour against another man.

Mr Papworth had previously appeared in court in connection with that incident, which happened on 1 September, and he had been released on bail until his next court appearance.

The Crown Advocate, Rory Calderwood told the court that prior to the hearing on Thursday morning Mr Papworth had approached him to ask to be remanded into custody. Advocate Calderwood told the court that this was an unusual situation, but that Mr Papworth appeared to be a man at 'rock bottom' so he wouldn't oppose the request.

Judge McKerrell told the court that he could not remand a defendant into custody because they asked to be, because prison is not to be treated as a hotel. However he spoke directly to Mr Papworth to say that he thought if he didn't remand him into custody that he would commit further offences to ensure he was kept behind bars. 

Mr Papworth denied that, saying he wanted to get help for his mental health. Judge McKerrell said he did not believe he wouldn't commit further offences, and chose to remand Mr Papworth into custody until his next court appearance which will be in relation to the three new charges he faces.

"It's apparent, not because it's what you want, but because it's what should have happened in the first place, to prevent the committing of further offences," said Judge McKerrell. 

Please note: Express has been contacted by Gaz Papworth, producer of Man Down documentary, who has asked us to clarify that this article is not about him.