A 22-YEAR-OLD man who headbutted another customer in a St Helier nightclub – leaving him needing hospital treatment – has been spared prison.
Edwon Anastacio Freitas D’Ascensao attacked the other man in Havana, in Bath Street, at around 1am on 24 September.
D’Ascensao admitted to grave and criminal assault and was sentenced in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to 90 hours of community service.
St Helier Centenier Paul Huelin, prosecuting, said the victim had to be treated in hospital for lacerations to his forehead and missed a day at work as a result of the injury.
But Advocate Stephen Waughope, defending, pointed out that D’Ascensao had pleaded guilty to grave and criminal assault – despite the absence of any evidence from witnesses or CCTV.
“That guilty plea is of great assistance,” he said.
Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu told D’Ascensao: “I accept you have shown remorse and you have a good work record. But your criminal record is mounting up.”
He said he was imposing a sentence of community service due to his guilty plea, his remorse and his youth, but said: “Let’s hope you learn from this. If you keep coming back to court you will inevitably receive a custodial sentence.”
