The Magistrate-designate, who is still getting paid despite not sitting on the bench since a financial crimes investigation began in 2008, could be behind bars as early as tonight if the Jurats considering his sentence accept the prosecution’s call for imprisonment.
However, it was expected that his lawyer would ask the court to impose a lesser penalty, such as community service, when the hearing resumed today.
Christmas was convicted in July on a single count for his involvement in a £1.3 million property scam. It followed an 11-week trial which ended four years after his chambers were first raided by the police.
His co-defendants – Islanders John Lewis, James Cameron and Russell Foot – were found guilty of 13 or more counts apiece of fraudulently inducing investments ranging from a total of £678,000 to £943,000 each. The prosecution has asked for the three to each be jailed for 4½ years.
• See www.thisisjersey.com for the outcome this afternoon and Saturday’s Jersey Evening Post for full report
