Man jailed for six months for driving offences whilst on probation

Tuesday 06 August 2024

A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to six months in prison for committing multiple motoring offences while on probation.

Michael Robert Connor, who only holds a provisional licence, also failed to provide a blood alcohol test to the police and was found in possession of Class C drugs on another occasion.

The Magistrate’s Court heard that Connor was appearing for the third time as a result of driving while disqualified.

It was also his second offence of driving while intoxicated and fourth offence of driving without insurance.

St Brelade Centenier Amanda Wright, prosecuting, said that Connor was arrested in St Helier on 2 March for possessing the Class C drugs alprazolam and clonazepam, which were found in blister packs in his jacket pockets.

On 30 April, Connor was made the subject of a probation order after he got into a fight with two teenagers on a bus on the evening of 16 June last year while intoxicated.

At the time,, Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke warned Connor that this was his “final opportunity to get out of the cycle of offending”.

However, on 7 June this year, Connor breached his probation order by driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Ms Wright told the court that Connor also refused to provide a blood sample to the police, although an initial breath test indicated he had 80 milligrams of alcohol in his breath – exceeding the legal limit of 35 milligrams.

Advocate Mike Preston, defending, explained that Connor had been helping someone move a car and panicked when he saw a vehicle behind him, leading him to drive up St Aubin Hill and onto Route de Noirmont.

“He panicked when he saw a car behind him and he is extremely sorry for having done that,” the lawyer argued.

Calling for a community sentence, Advocate Preston argued that Connor was making efforts to improve his life by seeking employment and engaging with support and probation services.

He referenced a letter from Connor’s mother detailing years of inadequate support for complex mental health issues that have only recently been diagnosed and addressed.

Advocate Preston also said that the Jersey Employment Trust reported Connor was “actively and enthusiastically seeking employment” but was out of work due to injuries.

The advocate said: “Mr Connor is at something of a crossroads. He is trying his best. He is engaging well. He is remorseful about his actions.

“He is very sorry to find himself here. He is actively trying to improve his circumstances.” 

But Assistant Magistrate Adam Clark deemed the offences too serious for another probation order.

He added: “A probation order is not appropriate and does not send the correct message to other road users that they can drive without a licence or insurance.”

Connor was sentenced to six months in prison for the driving offences, along with a 48-month driving ban.

He also received two weeks in prison for obstruction charges and drug-related matters, to be served concurrently.