A 28-YEAR-OLD man who grabbed a ‘terrified’ woman by the arm, snatched a mobile phone from her hand and dragged her through Liberation Station has received an 11-week prison sentence.
But Claudio Antonio Nascimento Andrade was able to walk free from La Moye prison yesterday – as he has already spent 11 weeks on remand.
He appeared at a hearing at the Magistrate’s Court via video link from the prison. The court heard that the assault happened on the morning of 18 March, while the woman was waiting for her regular bus to work.
CCTV footage from the bus station showed Andrade snatching her phone, grabbing her arm and pulling her along.
Advocate Katie Ridley, prosecuting, said: ‘Witnesses described the complainant as being manhandled.
‘A member of the public intervened. He described the complainant as ‘‘looking terrified’’.’
The police were called and Andrade gave the woman her phone back.
He pleaded guilty to common assault at a previous hearing. The court heard yesterday that he had one previous conviction for assault.
Advocate Ian Jones, defending, described the offence as a ‘low-level assault’ and pointed out that Andrade had written a letter of remorse.
He said: ‘Mr Andrade has demonstrated himself to be someone who will engage voluntarily with the probation services.’
Advocate Jones said Andrade’s family and friends lived in Jersey, and added: ‘He has a place to live and a job, and will be in a supportive environment if the court is minded to release him.’
Relief Magistrate Nuno Santos-Costa told Andrade: ‘There were no serious injuries, but nevertheless it is clear that the woman was terrified. Everyone has the right not to be terrified by people behaving in the way that you did.’
However, Mr Santos-Costa accepted that the defendant had already been imprisoned for 11 weeks and added: ‘The court considers that to be suitable and appropriate for your offence, so there will be no further penalty. The time you have served is sufficient.’
He also imposed a three-year restraining order and said: ‘I want you to understand fully that if you breach that order either physically or in any other form of contact you will come back to this court.’
