Community service for man who glassed victim in pub

Sunday 21 January 2024

A man who glassed another man in a pub has been spared a jail sentence because of "exceptional mitigation".

Michael Roberts (38), from Liverpool, assaulted his victim in the Pembroke Pub last September following a scuffle.

Roberts approached the man then headbutted and hit him in the face with a pint glass, causing the glass to smash.

The victim was treated in the Emergency Department for injuries, including a cut to his lip and bruising to his eye.

Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, pointed to previous sentences in which Jersey's courts had taken harsh stance on drink-fuelled violence, and glassing in particular.

She said: "The level of injury was a matter of luck, not judgement, and could have been much more serious."

Roberts does not normally live in Jersey, but the court heard that he hoped to give back to Jersey following his crime – in order to stay on and complete community service, he had already secured employment and appropriate registration locally.

Advocate Nicholas Mière, defending, said: "He feels a debt to the island.

"He has come over here, he hasn't been working here, he has been in custody for a very long time. That's a drain on public resources.

"He has caused very significant injury and hurt, physical and psychological, to the victim here."

Roberts had already spent almost six months in prison, with his advocate saying his client had used his time inside productively – including by seeking out support from the Alcohol and Drugs unit as well as psychological support.

The defendant had references from prison and probation officers, which the Bailiff described as "comprehensive and extremely good references".

A number of his relatives and people who had worked with him also spoke of his remorse over the incident.

The Bailiff, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, told Roberts that glassing was "a serious matter".

But, he added: "We have taken an exceptional view on your case because of the exceptional mitigation.

"You certainly owe a debt of gratitude to those who have spoken for you."

Roberts was sentenced to 210 hours of community service which is equivalent to 15 months imprisonment.