Prison time for repeat offender

Thursday 21 April 2022

A man has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment for disorderly behaviour, assault and breaching bail conditions. The offences spanned two separate incidents.

Ian Kerry Lewell, 48, was sentenced in the Magistrate’s Court this week, with Judge Graeme McKerrell telling the defendant they “simply cannot go around assaulting people”.

The first incident occurred on 19 January in the Mariners Inn on the Bridge.

Prosecuting Advocate Chris Dunford told the Court that Lewell was refused service by the pub landlord because he was too drunk.

This annoyed Lewell, who “slammed his hands” down onto the bar and verbally abused the landlord. He was then asked to leave.

The police were called, and Lewell was arrested later that evening. He admitted to disorderly behavior and was granted unconditional bail.

The second incident occurred on the evening of 1 February at Les Islets Estate, St. Saviours.

A group of teenagers in the street of the estate were approached by Lewell “with purpose”. He subsequently grabbed his victim by the jacket, pushed them against a car, and punched them in the face.

Advocate Dunford said this left the victim with a nose bleed and bleeding lip. Lewell then returned to his property on the same street at which point the police were called. Lewell remained silent throughout his police interview.

Pictured: The second incident occurred at Les Islets Estate in St. Saviours.

Defending Lewell, Advocate Liam Roffey said his client had “profound mental health difficulties” but noted his “unenviable list of previous convictions”.

He added that Lewell found anti-social behaviour, which had been occurring on his estate, “emotionally challenging”. 

Advocate Roffey told the Court that a neighbor had reported anti-social behavior occurring on the estate on 31 January, a day before the second incident occurred.

He said a group of teenagers were shining torches in people’s faces and through windows, even climbing over a balcony to do so. The neighbor reported further issues and banging on windows the following day.

Lewell’s rear door had been kicked and banged so many times it “no longer opens properly” according to Advocate Roffey.

Lewell believed his victim was a part of the group who were causing a nuisance on the estate but Advocate Roffey accepted that any strike to the head is a “serious matter” and “regrettable”.

For the incident in the pub, Advocate Roffey said Lewell was frustrated, lost his temper, and delivered “unwarranted verbal abuse”.

He asked the Judge to impose a non-custodial sentence, saying his client is “determined to comply with probation conditions”. 

Pictured: Lewell's prison sentence is running from 3 February.

Judge McKerrell told Lewell “you said in the past you want to avoid committing offences. Each time you have failed”. 

He highlighted Lewell’s “long and terrible record” saying offences occur with an “unfortunate regularity”.

Lewell was sentenced to one month in prison for disorderly behavior and seven months for assault to run consecutively.

He was also sentenced to one month imprisonment for violating bail conditions – which will run concurrently. He was ordered to pay £194 in compensation to his victim.