Ex-public schoolboy told "pull yourself together"

Thursday 22 August 2019

An ex-public schoolboy, whose alcohol-fuelled antics have attracted national news coverage, was ordered to "pull yourself together" by a Jersey judge before being allowed to attend rehab in the UK.

Classical guitarist Piers Robert Fairweather Edmondson (35) appeared in the Magistrate's Court this week, after pushing a paramedic and refusing to obey a Jersey Police Officer, and was ultimately released on 'time served' and fined £300 for the offences.

Having had previous problems with alcohol, the Court heard that Edmondson had been on a detox programme with local charity Silkworth Lodge and managed to stay sober for several months before relapsing.

But this isn't the first time that he has had a brush with the law. Son of a retired Solicitor and former pupil of the prestigious King’s School in Canterbury, Edmondson has garnered national news attention when, during one Court appearance, he asked to be served a cup of tea while sat in the dock.

Pictured: Edmondson garnered national news coverage when he asked for a cup of tea whilst sat in the dock in a UK Court.

It has been reported that Edmondson is a classical guitarist, who has played at the Savoy Hotel on the Strand.

It was heard that the incidents in Jersey took place on 2 August this year when paramedics were called out to assist a man “lying in the road” outside the Val Plaisant Morrisons. Edmondson refused to give them his details, however, and walked away from them.

When the paramedics began to turn the ambulance around, Edmondson changed his mind and tried to get in the back of the emergency vehicle – which was locked. Edmondson then became argumentative, escalating to making threats against the paramedics and then he “pushed” one of them “in the chest.”

The assault was captured on footage recorded by the ambulance dash cam.

When the King’s College London alum was interviewed over the weekend about the incident, he said that “he must have been provoked” and that “this was completely out of character” as he didn’t have any “history of violence.” 

Pictured: The ex-public schoolboy told Police that the offence was "completely out of character."

The 35-year-old was also charged with refusing to obey a Police Officer when he was told to leave the vicinity of a house as he was “not welcome” and “asked to leave the home by the occupant.” 

The Court was told that the Officer “feared that [Edmondson’s] continued presence in the area may well [result in] an outbreak of violence and a breach of the peace.”

Despite the Police Officer’s orders, Edmondson initially left the area of the house but shortly after returned to the address. 

Advocate James Bell, representing Edmondson, argued that his client’s remand in custody for eight days as a result of a court order breach was a “punishment in itself” and has given him “the opportunity to reflect on recent events.” 

Advocate Bell expressed Edmondson’s wish to return to the UK to attend a rehabilitation facility at the end of this week. 

Pictured: The case was heard in the Magistrate's Court.

“Mr Edmondson knows what he needs to do,” the defence lawyer stated.

Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu, presiding, warned Edmondson “the way matters are at present [is] likely to result in you losing your family, your friends and your self-respect.” 

He added that “unless [Edmondson] pull[s] himself together”, he was in for a “life of continual offending and prison.”

“This is the last chance,” the Relief Magistrate advised the defendant. “This is your chance to sort yourself out."

For the assault on the paramedic, Edmondson was sentenced to one week’s custody – which he has already served on remand – and fined him £300 for refusing to obey the Police Officer.