A 43-YEAR-OLD man had his curfew lifted – after he was threatened with eviction because neighbours objected to the regular police visits to check he was abiding by his bail conditions.
In the Magistrate’s Court last week, Andrew Scott Page admitted that he had breached his bail, but said that he had been left with little option.
The court heard that Page voluntarily handed himself in to the police to make them aware of the breach.
He had been granted bail by the Magistrate’s Court on 4 January on condition that he stayed at a friend’s flat. He was also subject to a curfew.
But he said his friend now wanted him to move out, because neighbours were complaining about constant disturbance when the police arrived to check he was observing the curfew.
Advocate Mike Preston, defending, said: ‘Without the curfew there would be no problem. If the curfew was lifted he could return to the friend’s flat.’
The advocate added that his client had kept to all his other bail conditions. ‘Mr Page has behaved impeccably whilst on bail,’ he said.
Without anywhere else to stay, he pointed out, Mr Page would have to be remanded in custody until 24 February, when he is due to appear at the Royal Court charged with a grave and criminal assault.
Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu concluded: ‘There has been a technical breach of bail. But the defendant actually went to the police and explained the position.’
He noted that Mr Page had been granted bail by the court previously so told him: ‘It would be wrong for you to have to spend four weeks in custody. I’m going to take an exceptional step and lift the curfew. If you breach your bail conditions you will be straight back to court and you will – not may – be going into custody.’
