Both avoided prison sentences and were sentenced to terms of community service. They appeared at different court sittings.
Jason Enticott, 31, of Clairval Estate, St Peter Port, admitted punching another man in the face outside the Harbour Lights at 2am one morning. Police on mobile patrol had seen a physical altercation developing and got involved to separate the pair. Later examination of CCTV showed the defendant punching the other man without provocation, and he was arrested.
The victim had blood coming from his lip but declined to make a complaint while Enticott had a hand injury that required hospital treatment.
He had previous violence matters on his record, the last of which dated from 2020, which involved an assault on police.
Defending, Advocate David Domaille said references spoke highly of his client. He had drunk to excess at his works Christmas party and had been mixing his drinks. He could not recall what preceded this incident but had stayed out of trouble now for more than five years.
Judge Marc Davies said the court was dealing yet again with drunken anti-social behaviour in the town area. He considered Enticott’s actions to have been more stupid than violent and he had not sought to minimise his actions.
Enticott was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service as a direct alternative to three months in prison.
Bruno de Jesus’s works Christmas party ended with him punching a bar manager of Bad Habits in the Lower Pollet in the face.
The 31-year-old, of Route de Jerbourg, St Martin’s, admitted a charge of assault.
Crown Advocate Jenny McVeigh told the court how the incident had happened at 6.30pm outside the bar. The defendant and his friends had been drinking in the bar.
The group were involved in discussions with the manager about drinking outside. They started amicably but seemed to escalate. At one point the manager felt threatened by the group and then de Jesus ran at him and punched him in the face, leaving him with a bloody nose. De Jesus was then pushed by somebody else and fell into the road.
Police were unable to respond immediately due to the busy period, and de Jesus returned to the bar shortly after officers attended and apologised for his actions, which he said he could not really remember or explain.
Defending, Advocate Sam Maindonald said her client disputed some of the facts presented. Her client had retaliated after he had been pushed up against a window.
Judge Davies said the defendant had not tried to avoid responsibility for what had happened, but had lost his temper.
He ordered him to perform 70 hours of community service as a direct alternative to two months in prison. He must also pay £500 compensation to the bar manager.
In both cases Judge Davies said that any readers of the Guernsey Press would soon see the serious approach the court took towards drunken antisocial behaviour in town.