Man with history of violence jailed for assaulting Jersey police officer

Jared Westrupp (35117929)

A MAN who assaulted a States police officer as she tried to arrest him for carrying drugs has been jailed for 7½ months.

Jared Roy Westrupp (26) assaulted the officer on 13 November.

She had to be put on light duties at work as she recovered from her leg injury, the Magistrate’s Court heard.

Advocate Luke Sette, prosecuting, told the court that the assault happened just after 1am. He said two officers were on patrol at the time. Westrupp, who was with two other men, gestured at them with one finger up.

One of the officers went to speak to him and Advocate Sette said: ‘She suspected that he was under the influence of a substance. His pupils were dilated, his speech was extremely slurred, and he was unable to focus.’

When she said she was going to search him for drugs he tried to run off, but got only two metres before falling to the ground.

The officer went to arrest him but he clamped his legs hard around her leg, leaving her with pain in one knee and damage to ligaments.

‘She was put on light duties when she returned to work on 18 November, and walked with a limp,’ the advocate said.

Westrupp pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and obstructing an officer. He had been due to attend court on 12 January but failed to appear, and admitted the additional offence of failing to surrender to the court.

Advocate Sette added that Westrupp had previous convictions for grave and criminal assault, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest. He had been given two probation orders and a community service order for the past offences but had breached them all.

However, Advocate Olaf Blakeley, defending, asked for another probation order.

He said of Westrupp: ‘This is a young man who obviously struggles in life. He suffers from seizures and back pain.

‘He comes across as a genuine, polite young man. He does have his problems, but custody is not appropriate for him.’

But the Magistrate, Bridget Shaw, told Westrupp: ‘I don’t think it’s realistic that you would comply with a probation order. I don’t think you’re suitable for community service. Custody is inevitable.’

She said: ‘These are serious matters and you do have previous convictions. You are not a person of good character.’

She sentenced him to seven months in prison for assaulting a police officer and two months for obstructing an officer, to run concurrently, plus an additional two weeks for failing to attend court.

She also ordered him to pay £59 in compensation to the officer he injured, but added: ‘If you had the means I would be making a significant order.’

Westrupp has been banned from licensed premises for 18 months.

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