Two charged after New Year ‘attacks on police’

Two charged after New Year ‘attacks on police’

Building firm manager Charles James Gales (34) appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday charged with grave and criminal assault after allegedly attacking a female officer on Prince’s Tower Road in St Saviour in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

And a second man, aged 29, was due to appear in the court on Thursday following a separate incident in Columbus Street in St Helier involving a male officer. He has been charged with assault.

Acting Chief Inspector Mark Hafey said the force was offering support to the two officers involved and praised them for dealing with the incidents with ‘professionalism’.

He said: ‘It goes without saying that it is unacceptable that a police officer should be injured in the line of duty.’

The officer added that New Year’s Eve had been a ‘very busy’ night for the police and that there had been ‘quite a few arrests’.

‘We did expect a busy night and we had extra officers on duty from different areas of the force, as we have had on Fridays and Saturdays throughout December,’ he said.

During Mr Gales’ court hearing, police legal adviser Lauren Hallam said no decision had been made as to whether the case would be committed to the Royal Court.

Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris adjourned the case for two weeks.

Mr Gales was granted bail and made subject to a home curfew between 9 pm and 6 am each day. He was also barred from entering licensed premises.

The next hearing is due to take place on Wednesday 16 January.

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