"My first Christmas away from home in prison"

Thursday 02 January 2020

A 21-year-old man, who is temporarily working in Guernsey on a university placement, has appeared in the Magistrate's Court for drunkenly lashing out at a stranger in the middle of the road.

The victim was driving along Vale Avenue when he noticed Ciaran Hampton stumbling about in the road.

Unable to get around the defendant, he came to a stop.

At this point Hampton walked towards the vehicle and started hitting it while shouting and screaming at the driver. When the victim tried to drive off, the defendant kicked his car. The complainant stopped again and opened his door, but quickly closed it again when Hampton walked towards his threateningly.

Another driver, with a dash cam, witnessed the incident and called emergency services before checking the victim was alright. He sustained no injuries.

Hampton was arrested and released on bail but, after breaching his bail conditions by drinking alcohol on multiple occasions, he was remanded in custody over Christmas.

"[Hampton's] career can be preserved but it does depend on the outcome of this case," defence Advocate Alan Merrien said to Judge Graeme McKerrell. His placement in the local hospitality sector was arranged by his university and, if not completed, would prevent him from finishing his course.

"It's totally out of my character and nature," Hampton told Judge McKerrell. "I have spent my first Christmas away from home in prison.

"I do hope to return to my placement in order to not jeopardise my career and continue on my career path."

Pictured: The defendant is currently working as a Waiter as part of his university course.

Judge McKerrell gave the defendant credit for his guilty pleas to the two charges of criminal damage and using threatening behaviour, and noted that he has no previous convictions.

"On the face of it you appear to be quite a Jekyll and Hyde character," Judge McKerrell said.

"You have shown a complete lack of respect for the court. When a court says something it means it and will follow through on it. Hopefully you've learnt a valuable lesson as far as that is concerned."

Taking into account the time he had already spent in custody, Hampton was given a suspended prison sentence of six weeks, which he will have to serve if he commits any further crimes within the next year.

He was also ordered to pay £1,326 in compensation to cover damage to the victim's car.

Pictured top: Guernsey's Royal Court House.