Jersey Unreported Judgments

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URL: http://www.bailii.org/je/cases/UR/2000/2000_227.html
Cite as: [2000] JRC 227

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2000/227

2 pages

ROYAL COURT

(Samedi Division)

17^th November, 2000

Before: Sir Philip Bailhache, Bailiff, and

Jurats de Veulle and Bullen

The Attorney General

-v-

Jason Cyril Prior

Application for release on bail, following a not guilty plea entered on 15^th October, 1999, to:

1 count of grave and criminal assault.

[On 15^th October, 1999, the accused pleaded guilty to 1 count of taking and driving away a motor vehicle without the owner's authority, contrary to Article 28(1) of the Road Traffic (Jersey) Law, 1956, as amended; 1 count of driving without a licence, contrary to Article 3 of the said Law; and 1 count of using a motor vehicle uninsured, contrary to Article 2(1) of the Motor Traffic (Third Party Insurance) (Jersey) Law, 1956].

Application refused.

D.E. Le Cornu, Esq., Crown Advocate.

Advocate C.M. Fogarty for the applicant.

JUDGMENT

THE BAILIFF:

1. This is an application for bail by Jason Cyril Prior who has been charged with grave and criminal assault. Counsel has reminded us that the applicant has been in custody since 7^th April, 1999, and that it is likely that his trial will not take place - on the assumption that he maintains his plea of not guilty to the charge - until the beginning of next year. It is therefore unusual for an accused person to be held on remand in custody for such a long period.

2. The Court has, however, had the opportunity of studying carefully the papers which have been placed before us and it is satisfied that the circumstances of this case are sufficiently unusual to justify the continuation of the remand in custody. In particular we have had close regard to the reports prepared by the Consultant Psychiatrists and we are satisfied as at present advised that if the applicant were released he would constitute a significant risk to the public and that there would therefore be a risk of further offences being committed.

3. On that basis the Court refuses the application for bail.

Authorities

Archbold (2000 Ed'n): paras: 16-52 & 53; 16-57 to 16-59; 16-73.