A Crosby man who went on a crime spree committing eight offences in just over four months has been handed a suspended sentence.

Jason Craig Quayle, of Reayrt ny Chrink, kicked a policeman in the groin, punched a man on Peel headlands and headbutted a man in Crosby during drink and drug binges.

The 21-year-old admitted assaulting a police officer, two common assaults, damaging property, possessing cannabis, theft, attempting to breach a licensing ban, and threatening behaviour.

Magistrates sentenced Quayle, who has spent eight and a half weeks on remand, to 12 months’ custody suspended for two years.

He was also made the subject of a two-year suspended sentence supervision order and banned from entering licensed premises and purchasing or being sold alcohol for 12 months.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the court that Quayle’s crimes began on May 2 when he punched a man a number of times during a row on Peel headlands. He also tore the number plate from the man’s car.

He told police he had taken the number plate but denied assault. However, he said he was too drunk to remember everything.

On May 17 at 7.40pm, Quayle got into an altercation at the Crosby Hotel car park.

He asked two men if he could borrow a phone but when they refused he kicked their car.

This prompted one of the men to grab Quayle by the throat. Quayle then headbutted him. Quayle told police police he acted in self-defence.

On July 13 at 11pm, police were called to Atholl Street in Peel after Quayle threw a wing mirror at the windscreen of a moving car.

Quayle told police he could not remember anything about the night and that he was very drunk.

Then, on August 23 he entered the EVF garage on Bray Hill in Douglas with friends who tried to buy alcohol for him, despite him being under a licensing ban.

When he was refused he became angry and told a member of staff he knew where she lived.

Quayle told police he could not remember making any threats and said he thought he would not be breaching the ban if his friends bought the alcohol.

On September 8, Quayle kicked an officer in the genitals while he was under arrest and appeared to be trying to bite another officer.

Police found 24 blue tablets, identified as class C drug diazepam.

Quayle told police he had no recollection of the incident as he was intoxicated and said he bought valium in bulk as he was addicted.

Advocate Ian Kermode said: ’Clearly the common denominator is alcohol and latterly valium addiction.

Mr Kermode asked for credit to be given for Quayle’s guilty pleas.

The advocate handed in a reference from Quayle’s employer, a skip company and a letter from Quayle’s mother, who said Quayle had been battling depression for many years.

Magistrates ordered Quayle to pay £100 to each of his three assault victims.

Chair of the magistrates Caroline Convery told Quayle: ’We are giving you a chance. Take this opportunity.’