Chris Taylor says the claim is legitimate because he was acting in his capacity as Constable at the time of the alleged offence in Rue du Bechet ès Cats, Trinity, on 2 June last year.
But the move has been met with fierce criticism by some parishioners, with one source branding it ‘outrageous’.
Another described last Wednesday’s rates assembly as ‘heated’ and have questioned whether it was right for such a small group of parishioners to sanction the use of a large sum of parish funds.
Speaking to the JEP yesterday, Mr Taylor, who says he did not attend the assembly as he was signed off ill, claims the parish will eventually recoup the funds from its insurance company.
However, a document entitled ‘Notes to the accounts for the year ended 30 April 2020’, which was distributed to attendees at the meeting, only states there was a ‘reasonable expectation that the parish will receive reimbursement, either in full or in part, for the amounts paid by the parish in this respect’.
Mr Taylor said this was simply ‘guarded’ language and he was confident the funds, totalling £7,078, would eventually be repaid.
He added: ‘I was acting in my capacity as Constable of the parish. The parish is covered by insurance and once this episode is over, our insurance will cover the legal bill, regardless of the outcome.
‘The two procureurs agreed to this sum of money and they agreed to it because I was acting in my capacity as Constable. The auditors also looked at it and asked some very thorough questions prior to this and they said they were content.
‘It has all been open and above board.’
When asked to explain how he was acting in his capacity as Constable on the day of the alleged offence, Mr Taylor said he could not comment as the case was ongoing.
The JEP understands that the sum, which was contained within the Constable’s audited accounts, was approved by 13 votes to 2.
Mr Taylor said those who voted against releasing the funds were ‘a small minority’ who were ‘stirring things up’.
The Constable, who stepped aside as Assistant Chief Minister after being charged, first appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on 28 January.
However, most of the Island’s media missed the hearing as it had finished before it was due to begin.
Mr Taylor, who denies the charge, was due to be tried earlier this month but the case was adjourned after paperwork relating to a witness went missing.
Speaking outside the Magistrate’s Court, Mr Taylor said the delay in proceedings was ‘totally unacceptable’ and that he would write to the Bailiff claiming a ‘miscarriage of justice’.
If found guilty, under Article 22 of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law 1956, he faces a maximum of two years in jail or a fine. He could also be banned from driving.
Under Jersey’s Constables Law anyone convicted within the seven years immediately preceding the date of his or her election, or since that election who has been convicted of any offence and imprisoned for a period of more than three months, would be disqualified from office.
The court is due to meet again tomorrow to set a new trial date. Mr Taylor will not have to attend.
