“Suicidal” finance worker spared prison for carpark rampage

Friday 20 September 2019

A father battling suicidal thoughts and alcoholism has been spared prison after going on a drink-fuelled rampage in a carpark, driving into a food truck and threatening to run over members of the public.

Due to the “exceptional” circumstances of his case, the finance worker was handed a lengthy community service order, probation order and treatment order by the Royal Court this afternoon to help him combat his difficulties.

The man, whom Express has chosen not to name given the complex and sensitive nature of his mental health issues, appeared in the Royal Court to be sentenced for five charges relating to the same incident: careless driving, driving whilst over the prescribed limit, malicious damage, affray and failing to stop his car when Police asked him to. 

The Court was told that the man was “suicidal” on the day of the incident and his actions triggered by “a mental health crisis".

Pictured: The offending was characterised as a "cry for help."

Crown Advocate Emma Hollywood, appearing for the prosecution, told the Court that the "cry for help" rampage took place in Les Platons carpark on 26 April of this year. When the defendant found himself unable to follow through on his suicidal thoughts, he dialled the number on the side of a food truck in the carpark called ‘Beezkneez’ and spoke to the owner.

“There are four guys at your van… tell them to move because I’m going to kill them,” he said. Thinking it was a prank call, the owner of the van passed the telephone to one of the men outside the truck, but the defendant continued: "If you four guys don’t move now, I will f*****g run you over.”

The man then began revving up his car and driving towards one of the men “in an aggressive manner”, but hit the brakes and skidded to a halt before hitting anyone. Customers of the food van - amongst whom was a four-year-old child - then scattered before the defendant rammed his car into the trailer, hitting a bin, menu sign and dog bowl outside of it. 

The owner of the van recalled she was “petrified” and that she thought her “heart was going to burst".

Around 11 members of the public were present in or around the carpark and they all fled for the nearby wooded area for fear of the driver who was steering “in circles around the carpark".

Pictured: The food trailer was in the same carpark. (Facebook/Bee'z Kneez)

The driver later told Police during an interview that he “was out to cause a scene, attention seek, cry for help, but I don’t know why.”

Representing him, Advocate Heidi Heath, explained that his behaviour was "utterly out of character and the result of a mental health crisis". "...He went there that day to harm himself not to harm others," she said.

Elaborating on the man’s complicated history with alcoholism and mental health issues, Advocate Health said he “described himself as embarrassed and ashamed of himself” and had, of his own accord, written “letters of apology” to all the victims and witnesses of the incident.

Abstaining from alcohol and accessing the mental health services in Jersey are just two of the steps Advocate Heath said her client had made since the beginning of these proceedings and he already feels “stronger and more able to cope” and “seek the appropriate support if necessary".

The Court was told that the defendant “has worked throughout his life” and has a “strong work ethic”. Indeed, Advocate Heath said that his current employer was keeping his job open for him, despite his offending. 

Describing her client as being “at the end of his tether” on that day in April and having “reached his breaking point”, Advocate Heath urged the Court to “be as lenient as possible” on him to allow him to get the help he needs.

Pictured: Along with the affray, the man was charged with various driving offences relating to the incident.

Handing down the Court’s decision, Lieutenant Bailiff Anthony Olsen - hearing the case with Jurats Nicolle and Ronge - said “the incident… must in our view have been truly terrifying, both for its victims and those who witnessed it.”

“It seems all too clear to us that… those who had to run for cover [were] in genuine fear for their lives.” 

Although the Court accepted that the man had “no intention of harming anyone” the members of public “were not to know that” at the time. 

“We can only begin to guess at the panic, confusion and sheer terror that the defendant’s actions and attitude caused that day,” the Lieutenant Bailiff reflected.

Having said this, he acknowledged the context of the offending, telling the defendant directly: “The Court is not going to send you to prison today.”

His words drew an audible sigh of relief from family and friends in court, while the defendant became emotional.

He was subsequently sentenced to a total of 240 hours’ community service, a 12-month probation order with a treatment order attached as well as a fine of £2,800. The man was also banned from driving for three-and-a-half years.

His sentence, the Commissioner explained, will involve him taking various courses through the probation and Alcohol and Drug Service as well as giving up drinking, attending appointments and undergoing medical and therapeutic treatment.