Swirll jailed for 14 months

Friday 21 June 2019

Bringing a flick knife into Guernsey alongside other charges saw "realist" Richard Swirll jailed by Guernsey's Magistrate Court.

The 57-year-old was sentenced to 14 months behind bars yesterday, having left the island while on bail for an "extended winter holiday" in Thailand.

The court heard how Swirll had initially been charged in April 2018 with disorderly conduct and then he assaulted another man in September that year.

While on bail for those offences he left the island and failed to attend an arranged court date in October. His lawyer told the court yesterday that Swirll had gone to the UK and Thailand for a holiday and to visit family, and knew he would be arrested when he returned. That happened in April this year, when he was found in possession of the flick knife, which he didn't have a licence for, at Guernsey Airport. 

That knife was described in court as an offensive weapon and the speed with which it could be extended for use was demonstrated.

Judge McKerrell considered imposing a community service order on Swirll but said he had no confidence he would comply. He acknowledged that Swirll has rarely worked because of diffculties he faces, but because he absconded while on bail an immediate custodial sentence was the only option.

Judge McKerrell told Swirll he had taken himself off on an "extended winter holiday" and only returned "when it suited you", he acknowledged that Swirll would be expecting a prison sentence because "if nothing else, you are a realist."

Pictured: Les Nicolles Prison. 

Swirll repeatedly tried to interrupt as Judge McKerrell passed sentence but the court heard a total sentence of 14 months imprisonment was passed.

That included six months for the importation of the flick knife, which was also ordered to be destroyed, a two month prison sentence for disorderly conduct, a three month prison sentence for assault, a one month sentence for failing to answer bail and a further two month prison sentence for breaching a previous suspended sentence. All prison terms are to run consecutively reaching a total of 14 months inside. 

Pictured top: Guernsey's court building.