A 21-YEAR-OLD man has admitted attacking another man in a street in St Helier – but it is not clear how many of the victim’s teeth he knocked out in the incident.
Cameron Naismith Smith pleaded guilty to grave and criminal assault, but could not be sentenced until the extent of the victim’s injuries is understood.
The court was told that the victim had one of his teeth knocked out when Smith punched him in the face. But it also heard that he may have lost a second tooth after the assault. If so, then Smith could be ordered to pay more than £5,000 towards the victim’s dental surgery.
Crown Advocate Lauren Taylor, prosecuting, said the victim had experienced problems eating as a result of the attack.
She said that the assault took place at around 2pm in Gloucester Street on 12 March. CCTV footage was shown in court in which Smith was seen punching the victim, knocking him to the ground and then kicking him in the back and neck.
The advocate said Smith had attacked the other man because he had shown an interest in Smith’s then girlfriend.
The dental damage was caused by the initial punch.
She said the complainant needed ‘significant dental work’ and that the injury had ‘affected the way he eats’.
Advocate Greg Herold-Howes, defending, said the attack had been ‘spur of the moment’ and added: ‘He did not plan the assault. When he saw the other man, his anger clouded his judgment.’
He also pointed out that Smith had no previous convictions for violent offending. He conceded that Smith had breached a community service order imposed five years ago by the Youth Court for a motoring offence, although the order was later completed.
He said: ‘Mr Smith was a much younger man and he has moved on from that.
‘He is finding his feet and has a growing sense of responsibility as he matures.’
Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris said he was unwilling to pass sentence and decide how much Smith should pay until he knew whether the victim had lost one or two teeth.
The court expects to receive a letter from a dentist later this week. Smith was released on bail until Friday.
