Antonio Capuano (37) erupted midway through his application as Crown Advocate Conrad Yates summed up the prosecution’s case against him.
Capuano had been making an application to be released from prison, where he is on remand for various offences, for the Christmas and New Year period.After being removed from the court by two police officers and a civilian prison van driver, Capuano was restrained and forced into a cell.
He then smashed the cell door before submitting to officers.
The police initially stated that CS spray had been drawn, but not used against Capuano.
Later, they clarified their position by adding that a small amount of spray had escaped when the canister was drawn.It is understood that Capuano – who has a history of mental illness, and a criminal record for violent offences – shouted that the Crown Advocate was lying when he summed up the case.A police spokesman said: ‘Capuano began shouting and swearing inside the court and had to be removed.
He became violent and had to be restrained by police in a secure interview room.
He kicked the door repeatedly, causing damage to both the door and the lock.’It is understood that Capuano will be charged with causing malicious damage in respect of the broken door, and that he may also be charged with resisting police.
Scenes of crime officers have attended the part of the court where the incident took place, and have photographed the broken door.Capuano was initially refused bail by Assistant Magistrate Ian Christmas earlier this month after appearing in court on charges of vandalism at the Jewellery Warehouse in La Motte Street, and damaging a pane of glass at Rouge Bouillon Police Headquarters the following day.He has admitted those charges, but denies further allegations of trying to steal a watch from the Jewellery Warehouse, and has reserved his plea to driving a vehicle on a St Clement beach while unfit through drink or drugs.
