"Out of control" teen attacks stranger on his way home

Thursday 05 September 2019

A 16-year-old has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of community service and pay £2,000 in compensation after being prosecuted for two counts of assault.

The teenager had been drinking with his friends on an evening in July when he became concerned about a family member, who was socialising with a person he believed to be trouble.

One of the defendant's friends enticed the person to meet up with the group that evening, by contacting him and offering to sell him cannabis.

When they met at the commercial entrance to Stan Brouard the defendant was said to be wearing a scarf on his face. He asked the person to take off his motorbike helmet and went on to punch him two-to-three times in the face.

The person managed to get away and ran from the scene, leaving his motorbike behind. In a statement afterwards, he said the punches had caused his nose to bleed. He also had facial bruising and small cuts to his lips and mouth.

Pictured: The defendant was sentenced in Guernsey's Juvenile Court.

Following the incident, the 16-year-old and his group of friends left the scene and continued to walk towards Landes due Marches garage.

At this point, the defendant noticed a stranger, who was walking home after an evening in the pub, and started to push him. The group asked which way the stranger was headed and appeared to change their route to follow him. The victim was becoming increasingly worried as he neared his home and lied to the group, saying he was walking towards Cycle World so they wouldn't find out where he lived.

The defendant continued to push the stranger, who twice fell over onto his front before running to his house. In his statement, the victim said he had believed he was going to be seriously attacked.

When he fell, the stranger snapped two of his teeth and suffered bruising and swelling to his face, which affected his speech. Since then he has had to pay more than £800 for dental work, with further appointments needed in the future which could cost up to £3,000.

Pictured: The teenager will have to pay £3,000 in compensation.

The court heard how the victim was a keen musician and was essentially having to learn to play his instrument again, as his injuries changed the shape of his mouth.

On sentencing, Judge Graeme McKerrell noted how the second victim in particular was facing "potential life changing consequences" from the defendant's actions.

"You were out of control," he said. "I am not confident that I will not see you again, but I'm going to give you a chance to prove me wrong."

Judge McKerrell decided against sending the teenager to youth detention for six months, and instead gave community service along with a two year probation order. He will also have to pay £2,000 in compensation to the second victim - the highest compensation order the Juvenile Court can give.

"Consider yourself lucky," concluded Judge McKerrell.

Pictured top: The Royal Court House.