Judge okays golfing holiday

11:32am Tuesday 6th May 2008

A JUDGE agreed today to lift a curfew order on police attacker Lee Jones, 24 - so he can go on a golfing holiday to Portugal.

Judge Martin Picton betrayed a hint of envy, however, after seeing a brochure about the golf resort Jones is heading for.

"I was almost dissuaded from allowing this when I looked at the brochure," he said.

"You don't really deserve a golf course of that quality!"

A month ago Jones, 24, of Station Lane, Tewkesbury, had admitted assaulting PC Geoffrey Lloyd in the early hours of October 14 last year.

Jones was given a six month custodial sentence suspended for two years with an 8pm - 5am curfew, 150 hours' community work and order to pay £750 compensation to the police officer.

Today probation officer Sian Worrallo applied to Gloucester crown court for the curfew to be lifted for the period May 8-13th so that Jones can attend a weekend away in Portugal.

"So far he has complied with al the requirements of the order," she told the court.

Agreeing to lift the curfew requirements for that period the judge made his tongue in cheek comments about the holiday but added "I think it's justified."

When the case was heard last month prosecutor Mary Harley said PC Lloyd was on foot patrol with another officer when they saw Jones in a violent fight with another man.

When PC Lloyd tried to restrain him, Jones punched him in the face a number of times, causing swelling to the officer's face and a one and a half centimetre cut on the inside of his mouth.

Once arrested he admitted to police that he had drunk 10 pints of beer that night and had little recollection of what had happened.