Jersey man jailed for nine months and fined £1,000 for spitting in police officer's face

Jay Wallace appeared at the Magistrate's Court on Monday (6 January) and was jailed for 12 months in total. Credit: States of Jersey Police

A Jersey man has been sentenced to nine months and received a fine of £1,000 for spitting in a police officer's face.

Jay Wallace appeared at Jersey Magistrate's Court on Monday (6 January) and was handed a total of 12 months imprisonment which included other charges.

Chief of Police, Robin Smith, said: “The Court heard today that Wallace has the most appalling criminal history, including previous assaults on police in Jersey and in another jurisdiction.

"Wallace racially abused one officer and spat in another officer’s face. It has been particularly distressing for the officers, and I’m proud of her professionalism and dedication.

"Today’s sentence and the Assistant Magistrate’s comments in court have sent the strongest deterrent yet, that assaults on emergency service workers will not be tolerated."

Jersey Police say incidents of spitting offences against officers have increased over recent years.

The force recorded 18 incidents in 2024 - doubling from 2022 and being the highest recorded number for the past five years.

They add that there's been an 83.3% increase in assaults (of all kinds) on police officers since 2022.

Police officers who are spat at while doing their jobs, particularly in the face, have to undergo health assessments at the hospital for infectious diseases.

In December 2024, police released bodycam footage in a separate incident where an unidentified person spat in the face of an officer on duty.

States of Jersey Police say they have now charged a 17-year-old male with that assault; they will appear in youth court this month.

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