A Douglas man who kept Pava spray in his home has been given a 12-month conditional discharge.

Richard Ian Kissack, aged 51, of Falcon Cliff Court, said he bought the spray while on a trip abroad after his family had been attacked.

He appeared before magistrates for sentencing last week.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that the offence had been case of ignorance of the law rather than any intended malice.

Mr Swain said that a warrant was executed at Kissack’s home on September 5 and three cans of the pepper spray were found.

When interviewed by police, Kissack told officers that he thought he had bought the cans in France or Andorra while on holiday or a business trip, about three to five years ago.

Locked

He said he was not aware that it was illegal to keep the spray and that he had intended for his stepdaughter to use it for protection.

And he told officers said that the bottles had always been kept locked in a safe.

Defence advocate Darren Taubitz entered a basis of plea on behalf of his client in which Kissack explained that the cans were always stored in a locked safe and had never been used.

Mr Taubitz said that Kissack and his family had been attacked and robbed while in a motorhome during a family holiday approximately four years ago and that it had been ’quite an ordeal’.

The advocate said that this had led to his client buying the Pava spray and that he had not known it was illegal in the Isle of Man.

’His rationale was a father and husband trying to keep his family safe,’ said Mr Taubitz.

’He accepts he’s been very naive for an intelligent man.

’He is a 51-year-old professional man who has made a mistake.

’He may have to deal with the regulatory body that oversees his profession.’

Magistrates also ordered Kissack to pay £50 prosecution costs.