|
An Iraqi asylum seeker who headbutted a Norwich
police officer is set to be thrown out of the
country.
Idrees Jaff may face deportation because of
offences he has committed during his three years in
this country.
The Iraqi Kurd had allegedly been stabbed by other
asylum seekers, Norwich Magistrates' Court was told
yesterday.
Jaff, of Berners Close, Mile Cross, was ordered to
do 100 hours of community work and banned from
driving for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay
£100 compensation to Sgt Brian Sweeney and £50
prosecution costs after admitting drink-driving,
assaulting a police officer and possessing herbal
cannabis.
The 19-year-old, who was said to have mental
problems, also admitted being in breach of a
one-year conditional discharge imposed for assault,
causing actual bodily harm.
Prosecutor Rachel Balfour said Sgt Sweeney had seen
Jaff driving a car which was swerving across Oak
Street, Norwich, on March 20. The sergeant was
assaulted as he tried to arrest Jaff.
"While the defendant was being handcuffed the
officer states he suddenly pulled his head back and
quickly hit him on the mouth with his forehead,"
said Ms Balfour.
A breath test later showed Jaff was almost twice the
legal limit - he had 62 micrograms of alcohol in 100
millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Alan Wheetman, for Jaff, said he came to this
country to seek asylum when he was 16. "It may be
some of his behaviour is a result of traumatic
experiences he suffered at the hands of authority
figures while growing up in Iraq. He is likely to be
refused continuing leave to stay in this country and
is likely, effectively, to be deported because of
his convictions.
"He is finding it difficult living in this country,
possibly because he is being picked on by people who
should be giving him the most support, people from
his own community."
Jaff, he said, had been stabbed in an attack
allegedly perpetrated by other asylum seekers, but,
following family pressures involving cultural
obligations, had withdrawn his support for a
prosecution.
Jaff had pleaded guilty to the assault on Sgt
Sweeney on the basis that he had not done it
intentionally. He had thought he was being attacked
by police.
The car he was driving had been recently bought at
auction and was "playing up". Jaff had drunk three
cans of alcohol about three hours before driving and
had smoked a little cannabis, but said it was only
the second time he had tried the drug, Mr Wheetman
told the court.
www.eveningnews24.co.uk
Top |
® 