Court short…..up against the police station

Friday 29 July 2016

Homeless Darren Carboulec was caught urinating up against States of Jersey police station on CCTV cameras.

The 33-year-old explained when he was caught last month that he was cold and needed to relieve himself.

In the course of the next couple of weeks Carboulec was arrested on three further occasions in an attempt to get a roof over his head in custody, as he had been living rough on the streets. 

The Magistrate’s Court today heard Carboulec admitted four charges of drunk and disorderly behaviour, theft, malicious damage and urinating in public - classed as a Common Law public nuisance offence. 

He was sentenced to four weeks in prison for the four offences by Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu.

Prosecuting Advocate Darry Robinson said Carboulec's offending was alcohol-related.

He said: “On June 23 a police officer attended the scene when he was urinating against the side of the police station and it was caught on CCTV cameras. When asked what he was doing by the officer, he replied: “I know, I’m freezing cold.” 

“The police officer was told Carboulec had been sleeping rough and decided to urinate into a drain.”

“On July 1 the accused was at the police station and was warned about his language. He had a bottle of wine and was behaving in an aggressive manner. He called the desk officer a “Nazi” and was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. 

“On July 6 he entered the Co-Op and left with two bottles of wine before going into Howard Davis Park to drink, where police arrested him on suspicion of theft. 

“On July 9 at the sheltered home in Kensington Place he was refused entry on several occasions. After some minutes spent outside he had a glass bottle in his hand and was using it in a jabbing motion against a window. He smashed a hole in the window. No injuries were caused.

“At times it is clear he has endeavoured to be arrested as he was cold and had nowhere to live. He indicated that if you don’t arrest me I will steal something else. There is desperation in the acts of the accused.”

Defending Advocate Louise Woolrich said Carboulec’s offences had “followed a similar pattern to previous convictions.”

Advocate Woolrich said: “In relation to the offences he has pleaded guilty and been co-operative with the police. The offences were unsophisticated and were borne of his frustration. He has had a troubled and destructive upbringing which has contributed to his drug and alcohol issues."