18-year-old narrowly avoids prison after biting assault

Monday 19 December 2022

An 18-year-old who assaulted a police officer - and bit a member of the public who tried to intervene - has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service, and a 12-month probation order, for what was described in court as a “serious”, “unpleasant” and “alcohol-fuelled” assault.

Jake Jordan Carter was sentenced in the Royal Court for one count of common assault, one count of grave and criminal assault, and one count of resisting arrest.

Laying out the facts of the case, Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho explained that the incident occurred on the evening of 31 August 2022 outside the entrance to the Accident and Emergency department at the General Hospital.

She said a police officer who was out on patrol saw Carter and his partner arguing outside A&E. The police officer attempted to intervene and described Carter as “looking so angry he could barely control himself" as well as being under the influence of alcohol.

When the police officer asked him to leave the area, Carter apparently began to shout and swear at her. As she turned away to contact the control room, Carter hit her in the back of the head.

The court heard that she turned back and grabbed Carter’s wrist to prevent her being assaulted further, but she was wrestled to the ground, and called for emergency back-up.

A member of the public ran over to intervene, restraining Carter, who bit him on the neck.

The police officer described Carter as “out of control, aggressive, and violent”, taking several officers to eventually restrain and arrest him.

Carter “did not show remorse and offered no apology” when interviewed.

The injuries sustained by the member of the public were described as “significant” but “not life threatening”, with the force of the bite “enough to cause a laceration to [the] neck”. 

The police officer also had numerous bruises and was “shaken up” from the incident.

Carter was assessed as being at high risk of reconviction due to his “lack of remorse”, “problematic” use of alcohol, “lack of motivation to initiate any positive changes” in his life, and “unaddressed emotional regulation issues”, particularly towards people in positions of authority.

Although assaults involving biting usually warrant a custodial sentence, Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho recommended a total of 180 hours community service and a 12-month probation order as Carter had the “benefit of youth” and no previous convictions.

Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, agreed that a custodial sentence would have a negative impact on Carter’s mental health. 

He said that his client “does accept the gravity of these offences” and “actively wants to undertake community service”.

The defence advocate also explained that Carter “acknowledges his unhealthy relationship with alcohol” and is considering getting help with this. He also described Carter’s “desire to focus on employment once this matter is concluded”.

Advocate Mière said that this incident is Carter’s “first contact with criminal justice system, and he hopes it is his last” as it has been a “disturbing” experience for him. 

He added that his client wants to give community service “his very best shot”.

Delivering the sentence, Bailiff Sir Timothy Le Cocq described Carter as “abusive” and “out of control”. 

He explained that the Court takes a “very serious view indeed of offenses involving biting” as it is “impossible to predict the gravity of the injuries”.

Agreeing with the Crown’s suggestion of 180 hours of community service and a 12-month probation order, the Bailiff said: “The court has given you this chance and it’s down to you and only you to make this work.

“If you fail, you will come back here to be dealt with and will have squandered the chance we have given you.”

Sir Timothy also publicly commended the member of the public who came to the aid of the police officer.

Jurats Jeremy John Ramsden and David Gareth Hughes were sitting alongside the Bailiff.