Judge describes offence as one of the most violent he had seen
‘FEROCIOUS’ blows in a Town bar caused hairline fractures to the victim’s jaw and cheek bone, the Magistrate’s Court was told.
The attacker, David Bamford, 37, of Clairval Estate, St Peter Port, admitted counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm on another and resisting arrest. He was jailed for 16 months, with six weeks concurrent for resisting arrest.
Prosecuting Officer Luke Meyer told the court how the incident, in Bad Habits in the Lower Pollet, happened at about 12.30am and was captured on CCTV.
The defendant could be seen sitting on a bench talking to a woman when the complainant approached them.
There appeared to be a confrontation before the defendant slapped the other man's face. They then grappled before Bamford twice punched the man in the face, and he fell to the floor.
Bamford was removed from the bar and was talking to the complainant outside when police arrived. The complainant said he had apologised to the defendant, who said that as far as he was concerned, it was all over.
But when officers viewed the CCTV, the defendant was arrested.
He taunted officers and struggled violently when being detained and pava spray had to be used. One police officer suffered a cut hand in the incident.
Bamford initially said in interview that he had done nothing criminal and had only been acting in self-defence. But when shown the CCTV he broke down and cried and admitted what he had done.
He had convictions for offences in the UK including one for robbery in 2004 but the last matter on his record in Guernsey dated from 2010.
Defending, Advocate Samuel Steel said his client wished to apologise. Viewing the CCTV had been a shocking experience for him.
While he recalled something being said, he admitted that no words could have justified his response and he had told the probation officer that he deserved to go to jail. He said his life had been in a downward spiral at the time and he was now receiving professional help.
Judge Gary Perry said that man described in the character references before the court was unrecognisable to the man shown in the CCTV.
‘Your previous record shows you are capable of substantial violence and this case shows that the violent man within you can still re-emerge,’ he said.
Violence in St Peter Port at night was all too common and this was one of the most violent incidents he had seen during his time as a judge, he said.
