A Peel man has admitted hitting a police officer on the arm in an attempt to resist being arrested.

Lee John Smith, of Elm Drive, tried to escape from police, first on a bicycle then on foot and threw his rucksack containing cannabis away.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to offences of assault with intent to resist arrest and possession of the class B drug.

He will be sentenced on October 8 after a probation report has been completed.

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon said police saw Smith riding a bicycle with no lights on at Ballafesson Road in Port Erin on July 25 at 11.30pm.

He appeared to have been drinking and when spoken to by police made off on his bike, then on foot, discarding his backpack as he went.

When caught, Smith struggled with police, striking an officer on the forearm. His rucksack was found to contain three small wraps of cannabis.

When interviewed later, he handed in a prepared statement admitting to riding the bike after having two or three pints and saying he had tried to escape because he had the cannabis in his bag. However, he denied resisting arrest.

No weight or value for the cannabis was provided by officers. Smith entered a basis of plea in which he accepted possessing the drug and fleeing because he did not want it to be found. He accepted he had flailed his arm, striking the officer’s arm, in an attempt to resist arrest.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ordered the probation report consider all sentencing options, including custody. Bail was granted.