Ban for driver who tried to headbutt police officer

Thursday 23 March 2023

A suspected drink-driver, who tried to headbutt an officer at police headquarters after he was arrested for failing to provide a breath test, has been handed a driving ban for nine months.

Zachary James Ewens (26), who apologised for having “acted like a complete child” in the Magistrate’s Court this week, was also put on probation for the same time period.

St. Helier Centenier Paul Davies told the court that Ewens was spotted at 21:15 on 28 January about to drive while apparently drunk.

"He had stumbled over to his car and appeared heavily intoxicated. He could barely open the car door and struggled to put the key in the ignition," he explained.

A member of the public phoned the police, who stopped Ewens in Grande Route de St. Jean.

They noted that the brakes on his car were hot, showing that it had just been driven, but Mr Davies said: "He claimed he had been sitting in his vehicle listening to the radio."

Ewens refused to give a breath test, becoming abusive to officers, and was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

"He became aggressive and violent there and tried to headbutt an officer," said Mr Davies.

The court was told he had a previous conviction for drink-driving, from January 2019.

He admitted the charge of failing to provide a roadside breath test and said: "I would like to apologise. I acted like a complete child. I am sorry for wasting the court's time."

Delivering the sentence, Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris told him: "Hopefully you'll be using alcohol more moderately and more sensibly after this and you won't put yourself at risk."