AG v Downey and Skinner (Royal Court : Hearing (Criminal)) [2025] JRC 074 (18 March 2025)

AG v Downey and Skinner (Royal Court : Hearing (Criminal)) [2025] JRC 074 (18 March 2025)

The defendants will be sentenced on the basis that their joint participation in the offence arose spontaneously at the pub doorway, and both are jointly responsible for their actions and each other's actions from that point onwards, including the two punches and kick delivered to Mr Lawson. The court rejected self-defence and found the jury's verdict consistent with joint responsibility for common assault, not grave and criminal assault.

Citation
[2025] JRC 074
Parties
Prosecution: Attorney General; Defendant: Sean Downey; Defendant: Kenneth Skinner
Jurisdiction
Jersey
Judgment Date
18 March 2025
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Post Verdict, Pre Sentencing (article 50 Judgment)
Outcome
Defendants to be sentenced for common assault on the factual basis determined by the court under Article 50.
Legal Topics
Assault, Joint Enterprise, Self Defence, Sentencing, Article 50 Procedure
Criminal Law Assault Joint Enterprise Self Defence Sentencing Article 50 Procedure

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 4 Party arguments 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Attorney General

Prosecution

Sean Downey

Defendant

Kenneth Skinner

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Post Verdict, Pre Sentencing (article 50 Judgment)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Factual basis for sentencing following jury verdict of common assault
  2. 2 Joint responsibility for criminal offence
  3. 3 Self-defence as a basis for acquittal or conviction

Ratio Decidendi

The defendants will be sentenced on the basis that their joint participation in the offence arose spontaneously at the pub doorway, and both are jointly responsible for their actions and each other's actions from that point onwards, including the two punches and kick delivered to Mr Lawson. The court rejected self-defence and found the jury's verdict consistent with joint responsibility for common assault, not grave and criminal assault.

Court Disposition

Defendants to be sentenced for common assault on the factual basis determined by the court under Article 50.

Orders

  • Defendants will be sentenced on the basis of joint participation arising at the pub doorway, responsible for two punches and a kick to Mr Lawson.