This Is Guernsey

By Joel de Woolfson

Richard Le Conte had reportedly smoked a large quantity of Spice before shooting three people with a BB gun.

A YOUNG man had smoked large amounts of the legal high Spice when he shot three people with a BB gun.

Richard Le Conte, 17, was sentenced to 18 months’ youth detention by the Royal Court for that as well as burgling a house, stealing from his friend’s grandmother and deceiving a shop owner, all of which he admitted.

His advocate, Chris Green, said his use of the herbal substance had played a big part in his client’s actions. Judge Russell Finch said it had clearly contributed.

‘It seems to us that there is an abuse of the so-called legal high Spice,’ he said.

Le Conte’s shooting spree took place on 8 September from the back seat of a friend’s car.

His first victim was a woman walking in Route de Cobo, Castel. She was hit in the right arm.

At about 3.20pm a man was on a stepladder outside his St Sampson’s home when Le Conte fired pellets at him, striking him just below his left armpit.

The third attack occurred in the King’s Mills area when a man on holiday was struck in the back as he walked on a footpath.

Le Conte told police that it had begun as a prank and was not intended to be a vicious attack.

He said he had decided not to target people who were too old or too young or anybody with children.

But Mr Finch said: ‘Innocent members of the public are entitled to go about their business without the threat of being shot at.’

Two days after the shootings, Le Conte broke into the home of his adoptive father’s new girlfriend.

Among the items he stole was a cheque belonging to the woman which he used to buy a £330 electric BB rifle and accessories.

He forged her signature on the cheque and told the sales assistant that she had pre-signed it.

When questioned by police, he admitted breaking into the house. He claimed he had done it because he blamed her for his parents splitting up.

On 11 December, Le Conte spent the night at a friend’s house and stole a debit card and £20 from a handbag belonging to his friend’s grandmother. He used the card to withdraw £200.

He told police during interview: ‘My exact thoughts were – I’m hungry, I’m broke and I need Spice. Which is pretty sad.’

Advocate Green said his client was deeply remorseful about the thefts.

‘It was an opportunistic set of offences. He feels ashamed by this because the victim is a relative of a very good friend of his,’ he said.

Mr Finch said in summing up that Le Conte’s young age and previous good character had weighed in his favour, but a period of detention was needed.

‘It seems to us that your interest as a young person needing to be turned away from crime and the need of the public to be protected go hand in hand,’ he said.