Teen sentenced for punching police officer while waiting for ambulance

Wednesday 11 September 2024

An 18-year-old woman has been given community service after punching a police officer in the head while waiting for an ambulance he had called for her out of concern.

The Magistrate's Court heard this week that an officer in a police car had seen Chelsea Leigh Such and a male arguing in the area of St Saviour's Road at 02:35 on 24 July.

Such had then suddenly run towards his car and rolled over the bonnet.

St Helier Centenier Danny Scaife, prosecuting, explained that she then ran off, but the officer caught up with her.

Seeing she had cuts and bruises, he phoned for an ambulance.

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

"During the wait she punched him in the forehead," Mr Scaife said. "The injuries were not severe."

Such was drunk at the time. Advocate Stephen Wauchope, defending, added that she had only turned 18 a short time before the offence.

He said: "She was in genuine distress. She is genuinely remorseful."

He also pointed out that the punch had caused reddening to the officer's forehead but no significant injuries.

Assistant Magistrate Adam Clarke told Such that being drunk was an aggravating factor and not an excuse, and added: "An assault on a police officer is likely to attract consideration of a custodial sentence."

However he said he was taking into account her guilty plea and lack of relevant previous convictions in sentencing her to 90 hours' community service.

He also imposed a six-month probation order.