Three jailed for separate pub and club assaults

Friday 05 January 2024

Three men have been jailed for their individual roles in three separate assaults at the end of last year – all of which include strikes to the head - with the judge reiterating that those who commit such crimes should expect to go to prison.

Throughout sentencing the trio of assault cases brought before the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Judge Gary Perry said that violent incidents in town were “all too prevalent” and that “this sort of behaviour happens again and again”.

All three incidents were captured on CCTV inside and out of pubs and bars in St Peter Port, leading Judge Perry to tell each defendant the evidence against them was “overwhelming”.

The first featured Jack Robert Thomson (30) who dragged another male - known to him - down to the ground, and punched him multiple times in the head outside Bad Habits bar on 11 November. 

Thomson was immediately tackled by police officers.

Prosecuting Advocate Phoebe Cobb highlighted in the footage that the victim was motionless after being dragged down, appearing unconscious, and was unable to defend themselves.

Defending Thomson, Advocate Chris Green requested a “stiff” community service order to be imposed despite the “totally inappropriate” assault for which he offered a “real apology”.

He explained that Thomson had been aggravated by the victim, who he claimed was verbally and physically abusing women they were out in town with together. His previous offending did not show a pattern of violence. 

Judge Perry took full account of his family and working circumstances, but sent him to Les Nicolles for six months for the “appalling” incident.

Pictured: The North Plantation has previously been described as a boxing ring by a Magistrate.

The case of Simon Keith Burdett (52) was then heard, with footage showing him headbutting two other males unknown to him while dancing to karaoke at The Forester’s Arms on 4 November.

One of the victims had walked past Burdett and been slightly caught by his elbow before turning to face him. Burdett then walked up to the man, headbutting him and causing him to fall to the floor. Burdett then turned and headbutted the victim's friend as well.

Burdett apologised to the pair and offered to pay for any medical bills before he was arrested, after the pub’s licensee phoned the police. 

He told the police that he was intimidated and thought he was going to be assaulted, but he had “clearly misjudged the situation”. He said he had consumed around 12 pints throughout the day.

His advocate, Paul Lockwood, said his client was “shocked and upset” following the incident, but made good on his promise to pay for the victims’ injuries.

“He wasn’t looking for trouble that night… it was a flash in the pan,” he said.

But the seriousness of the offence was recognised, and Advocate Lockwood therefore requested the “most lenient prison sentence possible”.

Judge Gary Perry said: “This court has said time and time again if you use your head as a weapon you should expect to go to prison."

Burdett was imprisoned for four months for each victim to run concurrently. Judge Perry added if it wasn’t for the mitigating factors the total sentence could’ve been doubled.

Pictured: Guernsey's Royal Courthouse. 

The final case involved Harry Conrad Ivan Devlin (25) who approached a male unknown to him and began acting aggressively inside Folies nightclub on 7 October.

Advocate Cobb said Devlin became increasingly annoyed as the victim ignored him and then punched the man in the head multiple times as he tried to move away, before falling to the floor.

Devlin was escorted out by door staff and, on being handed over to the police, said he hadn’t done anything wrong and didn’t deserve his treatment. 

Duty Advocate Sarah Morgan said Devlin was sorry for the distress and harm caused to the victim. It was also revealed that a fine imposed by the court for a previous conviction hadn’t been fully paid.

Population management had indicated to her that they were unlikely to renew his housing license following the conviction, but that he may apply for a new license as he has a local partner.

Judge Perry sent Devlin to prison for three months for the assault, and an additional 30-days for non-payment of his fine.