A 23-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted two police officers and two members of the public has been remanded in custody and warned he is “likely” to receive a jail sentence.
The Magistrate’s Court heard that Jay Wallace, from Falkirk in Scotland, spat in one officer’s face, punched a member of staff in a takeaway and broke a man’s glasses, and behaved in a threatening manner on the evening of 15 September.
It also heard that Wallace had previous convictions for assault and threatening behaviour in both Jersey and Scotland.
Magistrate Bridget Shaw said the latest incidents comprised “a shocking list of offences”.
She added that he was only being dealt with in the Magistrate’s Court instead of the Royal Court because of his guilty pleas.
Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, said Wallace entered a takeaway in Union Street shortly before 8pm, carrying a bottle of Southern Comfort, and was refused service because he was drunk.
Two other customers left when they witnessed his behaviour. She said Wallace became threatening and abusive and punched one member of staff in the head and snatched and broke the spectacles of another man.
The police were called and suspected Wallace had been taking an illegal substance so took him to hospital where he continued to make threats.
Crown Advocate Hallam said: “He threatened to headbutt and break noses.
“He spat in the face of one police officer and kicked out at another officer, but did not make contact.
“There was limited injury.”
Wallace admitted a charge of malicious damage for breaking the glasses.
He also admitted an earlier offence, from 3 May, of stealing bottles of vodka from a shop.
Advocate Stephen Wauchope, defending, pointed out that Wallace was suffering from a mental-health disorder.
The Magistrate said the case was close to the upper limit of what her court could deal with.
She agreed to postpone sentencing to allow for probation and psychiatric reports and, remanding Wallace in custody, she added: “This a shocking list of offences and, in my view, a custodial sentence is likely.”
