A 27-YEAR-OLD who broke another man’s jaw has been ordered to pay £5,000 towards his victim’s dental treatment.
Tiago Vaz hit the man in the face with what he described as ‘an open palm’ in the attack on the man in Cheapside last year, which left him in hospital for five days.
In the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Vaz was told that he could face being deported if he reoffends.
The defendant pleaded guilty to grave and criminal assault, and was sentenced to 180 hours of community service in addition to being ordered to pay the compensation.
Advocate Simon Crowder, prosecuting, told the court that the assault happened on the afternoon of 30 May.
He said: ‘When approaching Alfonso’s café in St Helier at 4.45pm he [Vaz] saw people on the other side of the road. One of the group approached him and he [Vaz] struck him to the left side of his face.’
Advocate Crowder added that Vaz also kicked his victim in the left shoulder. The victim suffered a broken jaw, had two teeth removed and spent five days in hospital, where he could not sleep or eat properly. He also lost weight and was said to have no strength in his arm as a result of the attack.
The court heard that Vaz had a previous conviction for grave and criminal assault, dating from December 2020.
Advocate Sarah Dale, defending, emphasised the impact a custodial sentence would have on Vaz’s employment and accommodation in Jersey.
She said: ‘If he went to prison today he would lose his accommodation and his employment, which are two of his stabilising factors. He does see this as his home and where he wants to stay, he is settled with work and his accommodation.’
On 23 December, Vaz was warned that he risked being deported, however Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris said he would not be ordering the defendant’s deportation.
But he said: ‘He needs however to be aware, if any reoffending of a violent nature [takes place], he will indeed face deportation. The Royal Court has said it is a privilege to live in this island and if a foreign national abuses that privilege, he is liable to be deported.’
And he warned Vaz: ‘Make sure what you do is keep out of trouble and equally attend your probation appointments. I am also required to make a compensation order for necessary dental treatment.’
He ordered Vaz to pay £5,000 at the rate of £50 per week, warning him that failure to pay would result in him going to prison for 12 weeks.
