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A "drunk and disorderly" man has been jailed for six months after spitting in the face of a Police Officer while he was being arrested.
Christopher Hall (46) was arrested at Snow Hill on Saturday afternoon (13 February) for being drunk and disorderly after shouting abuse at police officers in the presence of the public.
Although he was warned about his behaviour, he continued to shout and use abusive language, leaving officers without choice but to arrest him.
As he was being transferred into a Police vehicle, he spat in an officer’s face.
Pictured: Hall spat in the officer's face as he was being transferred into a Police vehicle.
He was subsequently taken into custody, and charged with assaulting a Police Officer in the lawful execution of their duty and being drunk and disorderly.
Hall appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, and was sentenced to six months in jail for the assault on the police officer and a further month for the drunk and disorderly charge. However, it was decided that the jail terms should run concurrently.
“Our officers do a challenging job and in difficult circumstances. Spitting is a vile act, in particular during a pandemic with heightened health concerns,” Inspector of Community Policing Huw Williams said after the sentencing.
“I am proud of the way our community officers dealt with this incident – professionally and robustly. I hope this sentence sends a signal to those who break the law and disrespect our officers who dedicate their professional lives to helping others.”
A similar offence happened in May last year, with Alan Mundy (34) sentenced to 100 hours of community service in response.
At the time, Chief of Police Robin Smith described it as "disgusting at any time, and even more so during the time of a global pandemic."
He expressed his disappointment at the weekend's events over Twitter, writing: "Jersey Police are just citizens in uniform working to protect islanders. Spitting is utterly disgusting on every level and swift justice has been served."
@JerseyPolice are just citizens in uniform working to protect islanders. Spitting is utterly disgusting on every level and swift justice has been served. https://t.co/F0s32okCig
— Robin Smith (@ChiefJersey) February 15, 2021
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