Man commits "violent attack" on police

Friday 28 June 2019

A 27-year-old man has been sentenced to eight months in prison after assaulting two police officers.

On 3 January this year, Guernsey Police were called to Jack Tostevin's home after receiving reports of a domestic incident.

On arrival, PC Bulpitt and PC Thomas found Tostevin sat on a garden bench and explained that he was being arrested on suspicion of assault.

At this point, Tostevin tensed his body, crossed his arms and lent forward - ignoring directions from the officers. The defendant then went on to charge forward, throwing his arms out in a struggle, before striking PC Thomas in the throat causing him to fall to the ground in pain.

Tostevin continued his struggle with PC Bulpitt, who consequently fell to the ground.

PC Bulpitt managed to get to his knees before Tostevin grabbed hold of the officer's head and pulled it onto his knee while dragging his fingers across the victim's face and ears.

A deep cut on the officer's ear had to be glued after the incident but no long-term injuries were sustained.

Pictured: Tostevin was sentenced to eight months imprisonment.

However, on 24 May - while Tostevin was on bail - the same two officers were called back to the scene following reports he had been verbally abusive towards other people in the building.

Police carried out a breath test which found the defendant had been drinking and was therefore breaching his bail conditions.

Once again, Tostevin tensed his body and refused to comply with orders.

A further four officers were requested and all six restricted him and escorted him down the stairs to which he responded with "Someone will get hurt and it won't be me".

The defendant has a number of previous convictions including three for resisting police officers and two assault convictions.

"[These are] some of the most violent attacks on police officers that I have seen for some time," said Judge Gary Perry. "Police officers protect the community from people like you but in doing so they put themselves at risk which is often forgotten by the wider community."

No action was taken over the alleged domestic incident.