"Disturbing and worrying" messages sent to police officer

Friday 29 November 2019

A 26-year-old man, who threatened a police officer on social media after being caught with illegal drugs, has been sent to prison for 11 months.

Guernsey Police stopped Richard Carre on 11 October when they noticed a package in his pocket.

Despite telling the officers "it's cannabis", the defendant was said to be "aggressive and uncooperative" throughout his search.

He was eventually detained in a cell at the police station, but concerns were raised when officers believed him to be biting his own arm. While restraining him on the floor, they noticed another small packet that had been hidden in Carre's police-issued clothing.

A total of 18.5g of Class B cannabis resin and one Class A MDMA tablet were taken from the defendant.

Pictured: The defendant was sentenced in the island's Magistrate's Court.

He accused the officers of planting the drugs in his clothing.

During an interview the following day, the defendant was shouting and swearing whilst stood on his seat. He told police, "I've got a lot of enemies in prison. I can't wait to stab someone" and mentioned plans for a suicide bombing at Buckingham Palace.

He was let out on bail but, later that day, a Guernsey Police officer noticed Facebook messages from the defendant. The officer blocked him but then saw that Carre had been 'sharing' his personal profile picture. He had posted threats towards the officer such as, "I'd bite his ears off and spit them in his face", and asked that a group of friends get together and break into the officer's home with bats and a rope.

The officer and his partner said they were "extremely shocked" and distressed by the comments, which made them feel unsafe in their own home.

Pictured: The defendant has been sentenced to 11 months in prison.

Carre later claimed he "was not going to act" on the threats.

Judge Graeme McKerrell noted the defendant's "long list" of previous convictions, many of which have resulted in prison sentences.

"There may be many reasons why you commit offences," he said on sentencing. "You have a significant cannabis habit that you believe helps you and regardless of what I do today you are likely to continue to use cannabis."

Judge McKerrell noted the "disturbing and worrying" messages and the impact they had on the victim and his family.

"Whether you intended to carry out your threats is irrelevant," he added. "Stop committing offences and the police will leave you alone."

Pictured top: The messages were sent via Facebook.