"Flurry of punches" leaves victim dazed

Sunday 28 January 2018

A 25-year-old man who beat up another man in St. Helier late at night after a disagreement in a nightclub has been given 150 hours’ community service, and made to pay his victim £400 in compensation.

Jersey’s Royal Court was told the two men – who didn’t know each other – got involved in an argument in the Havana Club in August last year, and later "went around the corner to sort it out."

CCTV evidence shows Harry Woolley coming to blows with his victim in Hilgrove Street shortly after they’d both left the club, and then walking away. Moments later police on a routine patrol discovered the victim lying on the floor in a pool of blood, breathing but unresponsive. An ambulance was called and he was treated in hospital.

But, addressing the court, Woolley’s lawyer said all was not as the CCTV footage might imply. According to Advocate Julian Gollop, the victim, who had been drinking all day, had been the rude and aggressive party, and had started the argument in the nightclub. Indeed club staff had actually thrown him out. Woolley had only had two alcoholic drinks all night and hadn’t reacted to the provocation. Just by chance he left after the victim and for some "inexplicable" reason followed him. It was only after the victim threatened to stab him that Woolley hit out – he said it was a matter of self-defence.

Sentencing Woolley, Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq said an unprovoked attack in town usually meant a prison sentence, but in this case there were many mitigating factors: the injuries had been moderate, there had been considerable provocation, Woolley had not been drunk, was of previous good character, had been given excellent references, had pleaded guilty, and had shown remorse including writing a letter of apology to the victim.

The prosecution had called for nine months’ imprisonment, but the court decided community service and compensation were more appropriate.