A 29-year-old Douglas man has been sentenced to community service after threatening police officers that he would rip out their throats.

Mark Edward Turton, of Spectrum Apartments, admitted offences of threatening behaviour and resisting arrest and was sentenced to 80 hours for each, to run concurrently.

We previously reported how, at 11.55pm on March 23, police were called to Summerhill Place after a report by a taxi driver of a man refusing to leave his cab.

When they arrived they found Turton lying in the back of the taxi with his shoes off.

Police asked him to leave the taxi but he swore telling the officers where to go.

Turton said: ’You’re just a overpaid traffic warden. Do you know who I am? I’ll have you.’

He was again told to get out of the taxi and put his shoes on but continued to make threats saying: ’It’s been a while, I’m going to count down from five then you’re getting it.’

Turton then began his countdown before getting out of the taxi, clenching his fists and making a loud roaring noise.

He was arrested but continued his anger, swearing and struggling with police saying: ’I’ll rip your throats out. You have no idea who you are messing with.’

As he was transported to custody he continued to warn police that he would ’rip their throats out’ and added: ’I’m going to start a riot.’

He eventually had to be restrained using Pava spray.

Defending Turton in court his advocate Matthew Wilshaw said: ’The offences stem from the fact he had been out drinking. In simple terms he had too much.

’He was on a cocktail of prescribed medication which may go some way to explaining his very poor decision making. He accepts the matter in full. He hasn’t sought to argue any points.

’He accepts his behaviour as described by the police officers. He fully understands the police have a difficult enough job to do as it is.

’He was in bad mental state at the time and had been at a funeral that day.

’He does have mental health issues.’

Chair of the magistrates Charles Fargher said while passing sentence: ’This sort of behaviour towards police and taxi drivers is unacceptable and must not be repeated.’