Teens Jailed For 21 Years For Attempted Murder

Two teenage men have been sentenced to a combined 21 years in Youth Detention for attempted murder.

19-year-old Alex Diogo Franca De Jesus has been jailed for 12 years after he was found guilty by a jury at Jersey's Royal Court in March of stabbing an 18-year-old man in January 2022, leaving his victim with 'life-altering injuries'.

De Jesus was also found guilty of possessing a weapon.

18-year-old Jayden James Howard has been sentenced to 9 years for the same offences.  He had admitted the charges earlier in the criminal justice process.

The court said that admitting what he had done and facing his 'disappointed family' took a 'great deal of courage'.

Both have also been given concurrent sentences of 2 years for carrying a weapon.

Both men attacked the victim on the Le Geyt estate in St Helier after organising a meet-up.  He was stabbed 23 times in the back, with the knife blade breaking in two due to the force of the attack which had to be surgically removed.

Police photo showing the blade removed from victim's back/Credit:SoJP

The pair dragged him over a 'low wall' and to such a secluded area that paramedics struggled to find him after he called 999.

Giving the sentence Commissioner John Saunders said the victim only survived because of the quick actions of armed officers.

"This was no ordinary attack, this was a ferocious one. Both [De Jesus and Howard] intended for the victim to die.

He was stabbed no fewer than 23 times while laying face down on the floor - he was helpless."

Commissioner Saunders said that he is still continuing his 'long and painstaking road to recovery'.

De Jesus and Howard were arrested the following day. Two 17-year-old boys were also arrested and charged with grave and criminal assault and affray. They were acquitted by the Royal Court in March.

Speaking to Channel 103 after today's sentencing, Detective Constable Joao Carvalho says the victim might never fully recover:

"He is still recovering from the serious injuries he sustained - 23 stab wounds.  More than likely they will be life-long injuries."

Comm. Saunders said that although incidents like this are rare in Jersey, they are on the rise.

"Rap songs found on phones seized after the attack show similarities to gang culture seen elsewhere.

This culture is being mimicked here, but this cannot be allowed to develop"

Detective Constable Carvalho echos that.

"I hope this sentencing today sends a very strong message to the community that knife crime will not be tolerated and the police will do their utmost to fully investigate and bring offenders to justice.

Don't carry weapons.  The consequences are clear.  Consider that once you go down that path, things get out of control and you end up in a situation where you have to face the consequences of your actions, as these young men have faced today."