Man breached court order by checking his phone

Jersey Magistrate's Court. Picture: ROB CURRIE. (39529361)

A 23-YEAR-OLD man who was handed 70 hours of community service for crashing someone else’s car while changing a song on his mobile phone has admitted breaching his conditions – by checking his mobile phone during a tea break.

Jacob Joseph Brown was sentenced on 3 March for driving a car without the owner’s permission, without a licence or insurance, while under the influence of drugs and while using a mobile phone.

Brown had been playing music on his phone and was changing the song when the silver Honda crashed into two other cars, badly damaging them. The Honda was written off.

Crown Advocate Carla Carvalho, prosecuting, said Brown completed ten hours of his community service at Jersey Zoo but had breached the associated conditions by using his mobile phone while working, which is against the rules.

However, Advocate Heidi Heath, defending, said her client had looked at his phone during a tea break and had not realised that phones were prohibited.

She added: “He is keen to continue with the community service, and won’t take his mobile phone next time.”

Relief Magistrate David Le Cornu allowed him to continue with the community service without imposing an extra penalty, but warned Brown: “When the court makes an order, it expects it to be complied with.

“It will not tolerate breaches of an order in any way.”

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